Space-charge effects in a laser fiber-optics triggered multichannel spark gap
The dual channel triggering of a spark gap switch by fiberoptic transported ruby laser radiation is discussed. The spark gap is the output switch of a 20-ns water dielectric Blumlein generator. The Blumlein generator is pulse charged in approximately 250 ns by a threestage Marx bank to 150 kV. The spark gap is operated at a pressure of 2540 torr with a mixture of Ar and N/sub 2/ gas and an electrode separation of 2 cm. Two 1-mm diameter quartz optical fibers are used to transport 2 2-MW laser beams into the spark gap onto points 6 cm apart on the target electrode. The two beams are obtained by optical splitting of the output of a single laser. Under appropriate conditions, two arc channels are initiated by the laser beams along their paths. A small improvement in current rise time for dual channel events over single channel events is observed. Moreover, the number of successful dual channel events is observed to depend on the time of laser entry with reference to the beginning of the charging pulse, and not the gap polarity. The correlation of this behavior with the space charge build up in the slightly over-volted gap is discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Texas Technical University, Lubbock, TX 79409
- OSTI ID:
- 5958054
- 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
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Related Subjects
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits & Devices-- (-1989)
ARGON
ELECTRIC GENERATORS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FIBER OPTICS
FLUIDS
GASES
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
NITROGEN
NONMETALS
PULSE CIRCUITS
RADIATIONS
RARE GASES
RUBY LASERS
SOLID STATE LASERS
SPACE CHARGE
SPARK GAPS
SWITCHES
TRIGGER CIRCUITS