Magnetron cathodes in plasma electrode pockels cells

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:869854

Rhodes, Mark A ^[1]

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1. Pleasanton, CA

Magnetron cathodes, which produce high current discharges, form greatly improved plasma electrodes on each side of an electro-optic crystal. The plasma electrode has a low pressure gas region on both sides of the crystal. When the gas is ionized, e.g., by a glow discharge in the low pressure gas, the plasma formed is a good conductor. The gas electrode acts as a highly uniform conducting electrode. Since the plasma is transparent to a high energy laser beam passing through the crystal, the plasma is transparent. A crystal exposed from two sides to such a plasma can be charged up uniformly to any desired voltage. A typical configuration utilizes helium at 50 millitorr operating. pressure and 2 kA discharge current. The magnetron cathode produces a more uniform plasma and allows a reduced operating pressure which leads to lower plasma resistivity and a more uniform charge on the crystal.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5410425
• OSTI ID: 869854
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

magnetron
cathodes
plasma
electrode
pockels
cells
produce
current
discharges
form
greatly
improved
electrodes
electro-optic
crystal
pressure
gas
region
ionized
glow
discharge
formed
conductor
highly
uniform
conducting
transparent
energy
laser
beam
passing
exposed
charged
uniformly
desired
voltage
typical
configuration
utilizes
helium
50
millitorr
operating
ka
cathode
produces
allows
reduced
leads
resistivity
charge
operating pressure
highly uniform
conducting electrode
gas region
discharge current
uniform plasma
beam passing
pressure gas
laser beam
glow discharge
pockels cell
energy laser
plasma formed
plasma electrodes
desired voltage
greatly improved
charge current
cathode produces
plasma electrode
electro-optic crystal
gas electrode
improved plasma
magnetron cathodes
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