LASER TRIGGERED SWITCH STUDY.
Abstract
The feasibility of developing a laser-triggered switch for use in line-type modulator service at a voltage holdoff level of 300KV and at a conduction current level of 1000 amperes is being investigated. To date, current peaks as high as 2000 amperes have been easily obtained. Using anode arcs (the laser-stimulated emitter at a positive potential with respect to the collector), a delay of approximately one microsecond occurs between the time when the laser illumination impinges on the emitter surface and the time when the maximum switch current occurs. The rise time of the leading edge of the current pulse has been observed to be about 100 nanoseconds, and was limited by the inductance of the external circuitry in experiments performed to date. However, a fast-rise-time (tr 10 nanoseconds) pulse forming network has been constructed and will be used for future experiments. Pulse-length data indicate that operation in the 1 to 200 microsecond pulse-length range is easily achievable. Emitter life tests have shown that the life of the laser-triggered switch should be in excess of 1000 hours. Static voltage holdoff tests were conducted on the first high-voltage device, which after processing, withstood 300 kilovolts for an extended period. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0810505
Entities
People
- A. S. Gilmour
- R. J. Clark
Organizations
- Calspan