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Title: Contamination spike simulation and measurement in a clean metal vapor laser

Journal Article · · IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/19.52522· OSTI ID:6944687
 [1];  [2]
  1. Inst. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Cheng Kung Univ., Tainan (TW)
  2. Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Cheng Kung Univ., Tainan (TW)

This paper describes a new method for the generation of contamination-induced voltage spikes in a clean metal vapor laser. The method facilitates the study of the characteristics of this troublesome phenomenon in laser systems. Analysis of these artificially generated dirt spikes shows that the breakdown time of the laser tube is increased when these spike appear. The concept of a Townsend discharge is used to identify the parameter which changes the breakdown time of the discharges. The residual ionization control method is proposed to generate dirt spikes in a clean laser. Experimental results show that a wide range of dirt spike magnitudes can be obtained by using the proposed method. The method provides easy and accurate control of the magnitude of the dirt spike, and the laser tube does not become polluted. Results based on the measurements can be used in actual laser systems to monitor the appearance of dirt spikes and thus avoid the danger of thyratron failure.

OSTI ID:
6944687
Journal Information:
IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers); (USA), Vol. 39:2; ISSN 0018-9456
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English