UV-Laser-Triggered Switches
Abstract
Two techniques of UV laser triggering for high-voltage spark gaps have been developed in which a KrF laser (248nm) is used to create an ionized channel through the dielectric gas in the spark gap. First, with a low-divergence KrF laser, we have studied laser induced breakdown in SF6, demonstrated by Rapoport et al and have applied this phenomenon to trigger a 0.5-MV spark gap. Second, we have studied the use of additives to the usual dielectric gas, such as Tripropylamine, which undergo 2-step ionization in a KrF laser field, and determined that they allow nanosecond-jitter laser triggering even with the use of a relatively low optical quality beam. Data are presented for a 0.5-MV pulse-charged switch triggered with a low divergence KrF laser at 80% of its self-breakdown voltage which demonstrate a 1-o jitter of 150 ps.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA638112
Entities
People
- C. A. Frost
- J. R. Woodworth
- T. A. Green
Organizations
- Sandia National Laboratories