Laser-Triggered Gas Switch Improvements on PBFA-II
Abstract
PBFA-II is a thirty-six module ion accelerator built by Sandia National Laboratories for inertial confinement fusion feasibility studies [1]. In the water-filled, pulse-forming section of the accelerator, each module is fitted with a 5.0 MV, SF6-filled gas switch located between an intermediate storage capacitor and the first pulse-forming line (Line 1). The intermediate storage capacitor is charged to 4.8- 5.0 MV in approximately 950 ns by a Marx generator located in the oil section of the machine. The gas switch is required to close on command and transfer the stored capacitor energy to Line 1, a coaxial transmission line of 100 ns two-way electrical length. The switches are triggered by a single 3.0 J KrF laser located under the accelerator; a complex beamsplitting/ distribution system is used to deliver simultaneous 20-40 mJ, 35 ns FWHM beamlets to the individual switches.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA638796
Entities
People
- G. L. Donovan
- J. M. Wilson
Organizations
- Sandia National Laboratories