Investigation of Cryogenic Photoconductive Power Switches
Abstract
Repetitive photoconductive power switching with a Nd:Yag laser at pulse rates up to 100 Hz was demonstrated at room and cryogenic temperatures. A silicon rod 3 cm in length and 9 mm in diameter with a resistivity of 1 Kohm-cm was optically triggered in a circuit capable of allowing us to pulse charge the system or to bias the switch with constant voltage. In the pulse charge mode, an HY8 thyratron was used as a series switch to place a maximum of 1.25 J of stored energy in a 0.1 uf capacitor. This energy was then delivered to a 0.5 ohm load by optically triggering the photoconductive switch. In the direct current mode of operation, the triggering was performed with a constant voltage across the switch and load combination. These two arrangements made it possible to study the effect of thermal runaway in the PCPS at room and cryogenic temperatures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA635444
Entities
People
- M. C. Thompson
- Robert B. Hammond
- Ross A. Lemons
- Roy M. Goeller
- William Nunnally
Organizations
- Los Alamos National Laboratory