Laser-Triggered-Switch Study (Project Laswitch).
Abstract
Interaction between the emission from a pulsed laser and a metallic surface in vacuum was investigated as a means of initiating a plasma discharge between isolated electrodes. Experimental studies of the triggering and arc development processes were carried out at applied potentials of several kilovolts and discharge currents up to the kiloampere level. Electrode and optical energy density effects were examined and compared in discharge service. A prototype switch designed for operation at 20 kilovolts, 10 megawatts was tested with a pulsed gas laser trigger and shows promise of reasonable life. Switching experiments were also performed at potentials in excess of 200 kilovolts. A parallel study of magnetic arc quenching phenomena led to the development of an electrically triggered low impedance switch that could pulse modulate the output of a 'hard' energy storage system, supplying peak powers of several hundred kilowatts. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0846056
Entities
People
- Richard J. Clark Jr
Organizations
- Calspan