A 40 Kv/20 Ka Pseudo-Spark Switch For Laser Applications

K. Frank; J. Christiansen; O. Almen; E. Boggasch; A. Gortler; W. Hartmann; C. Kozlik; A. Tinschmann; G. F. Kirkman

doi:10.1117/12.943651

6 April 1988 A 40 Kv/20 Ka Pseudo-Spark Switch For Laser Applications

K. Frank, J. Christiansen, O. Almen, E. Boggasch, A. Gortler, W. Hartmann, C. Kozlik, A. Tinschmann, G. F. Kirkman

Proceedings Volume 0871, Space Structures, Power, and Power Conditioning; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.943651
Event: 1988 Los Angeles Symposium: O-E/LASE '88, 1988, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Abstract

This article reports measurements of the characteristic parameters of a pseudo-spark switch designed for operation voltages up to 40 kV and peak currents of 20 kA for a pulse length of 90 ns. In all experiments the switch was operated with permanent external gas flow. There was no gas reservoir. Part of the investigations were performed on a water-filled matched pulse line. The repetition rate was limited to 40 Hz at full power. The switch parameters are comparable or superior to thyratrons, with respect to rate of current rise or current reversal. The tests with the .(Ω.-pulse line delivered dI/dt values between 8 and 9 x 10¹¹ A/sec. The prototype switches were triggered by a pulsed low current D.C. discharge. Two switch configurations were used, one partly the other totally derived from metal-ceramic technology. The electrode degradation seems to be small and lifetimes of more than 108 discharges can be expected. Aside from this, some more fundamental investigations of the switch plasma are presented. The overall inductance is about 10 nH, the resistance during the con-ductive phase is less than 10 mdΩ.

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K. Frank, J. Christiansen, O. Almen, E. Boggasch, A. Gortler, W. Hartmann, C. Kozlik, A. Tinschmann, and G. F. Kirkman "A 40 Kv/20 Ka Pseudo-Spark Switch For Laser Applications", Proc. SPIE 0871, Space Structures, Power, and Power Conditioning, (6 April 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.943651

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