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Title: Enhanced dielectric-wall linear accelerator

Patent ·
OSTI ID:672696

A dielectric-wall linear accelerator is enhanced by a high-voltage, fast e-time switch that includes a pair of electrodes between which are laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators. A high voltage is placed between the electrodes sufficient to stress the voltage breakdown of the insulator on command. A light trigger, such as a laser, is focused along at least one line along the edge surface of the laminated alternating layers of isolated conductors and insulators extending between the electrodes. The laser is energized to initiate a surface breakdown by a fluence of photons, thus causing the electrical switch to close very promptly. Such insulators and lasers are incorporated in a dielectric wall linear accelerator with Blumlein modules, and phasing is controlled by adjusting the length of fiber optic cables that carry the laser light to the insulator surface. 6 figs.

Research Organization:
Univ. of California (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5,811,944/A/
Application Number:
PAN: 8-773,804; TRN: 99:001105
OSTI ID:
672696
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 22 Sep 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English