INVESTIGATION OF A LASER TRIGGERED SPARK GAP.
Abstract
The influence of parameters affecting the laser triggering of a high-voltage electrical sphere-sphere gap has been experimentally investigated. Of primary interest was the delay time between arrival of the laser pulse and current flow across the gap. This delay was studied as a function of total laser beam power (0-80 MW); dielectric gas (SF6,N2,air); gas pressure (100-1400 Torr); electrode spacing (0.4-1.5 cm); gap electric field (10-100kV/cm); and focus point location between two 5 cm diam stainless steel spheres. Delay times less than 10 nsec were observed in SF6 at atmospheric pressure with corresponding low jitter. For the cases studied delay times varied inversely with the electric field, gas pressure, and focus point distance from the anode surface. Above a certain laser beam power the delay time was not a significant function of laser power for the range studied. Applications of laser triggering are discussed with a description of current and future research areas. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0629905
Entities
People
- Arthur H. Guenther
- Winston K. Pendleton
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory