Space Charge Effects in a Laser-Fiber Optics Triggered Multichannel Spark Gap
Abstract
The dual channel triggering of a spark gap switch by ruby laser radiation is discussed. The spark gap is the output switch of a 20 ns, water dielectric Blumlein. The Blumleim is pulse charged in approximately 250 ns by a 3 stage l1arx bank to 150 kV. The spark gap is operated at a pressure of 2540 Torr with a mixture of A and N2 gas and an electrode separation of 2 em. Two 1 mm diameter quartz optical fibers are used to transport two, 2 MW laser beams into the spark gap onto target points 6 em apart. The two beams are obtained by optically splitting the output of a single laser. Under appropriate conditions, two arc channels are initiated by the laser beams along their paths. A small improvement in current risetime for dual channel events over single channel events is observed. Moreover, the number of successful dual channel events is observed to depend on the time of laser entry with reference to the beginning of the charging pulse, and on the gap polarity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA638110
Entities
People
- A. H. Guenther
- E. E. Kunhardt
- H. C. Harjes
- L. L. Hatfield
- M . Kristiansen
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory