LASER-TRIGGERED MEGAVOLT SWITCHING.
Abstract
A focused, Q-spoiled laser, aligned along the inter-electrode axis of a charged spark gap, was used to induce dielectric breakdown of the gap. The effect of the following parameters on the triggering delay was studied: gap polarity, reduced field in the gap, percentage of the self breakdown voltage to which the gap was charged, pressure of the gas dielectric (620-21,000 torr), laser power (75-300 MW), and gap spacing (0.75-3.0 cm). Delay times as short as two nsec, with jitter less than one nsec, were recorded. Self breakdown voltages varied from 30 kV to 1.5 MV. Good agreement was found between the observed results and results predicted from the streamer theory of gas breakdown. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0818322
Entities
People
- Jerry Ray Bettis
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology