UV-laser triggering of 2. 8-megavolt gas switches

Journal Article · Tue Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1982 · IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.1982.4316185· OSTI ID:5941918

Woodworth, J R; Adams, R G; Frost, C A

The authors are investigating the use of a low-divergence (100 ..mu..rad) KrF laser to trigger 2.8-MV gas switches for large pulsed-power systems. Using less than 0.1 J of laser energy, they have demonstrated subnanosecond-jitter triggering (1sigma) of these switches, which are insulated with pure SF/sub 6/, at voltages between 75-90 percent of the self-breakdown voltage of the switch. The time delay between the laser pulse and the switch closure is relatively insensitive to variations in voltage, with delay changing by as little as 1.5 ns between 80-90 percent of the self-breakdown voltage. They also present parametric studies of laser triggering using lenses with different focal lengths at various input laser energies.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM 97185
• OSTI ID: 5941918
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States) Vol. 10:4; ISSN ITPSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420300 -- Engineering-- Lasers-- (-1989)
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits & Devices-- (-1989)
BREAKDOWN
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL INSULATION
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
GAS LASERS
GASES
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HALOGENS
KRYPTON
LASERS
NONMETALS
PARAMETRIC ANALYSIS
PULSE CIRCUITS
PULSED REACTORS
RARE GASES
REACTORS
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR FLUORIDES
SWITCHES
TRIGGER CIRCUITS