INVESTIGATION OF A LASER TRIGGERED SPARK GAP.
Abstract
A focused, Q-spoiled laser beam was used to produce an arc in a sphere-sphere electrical gap charged to within 30-90% of self breakdown. The time response of the triggering was measured as a function of: laser beam power, 0-80 megawatts; fill gas, SF6, N2, Air; gas pressure, 100-1400 mm of Hg; electrode spacing, .4-1.5 cm; gap electric field, 10-100 KV/cm and focus point location. Short delay times as low as 20 ns were measured in SF6 at atmospheric pressure. Generally delay times varied inversely with the electric field, gas pressure and focus point distance from the anode surface. The results obtained were considered consistent with those predicted by the streamer theory of arc formation. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0603613
Entities
People
- Winston K. Pendleton
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology