Low power laser trigger switching of a solid insulated spark gap.
The feasibility of reliably triggering solid dielectric insulated spark gaps by low power ( approximately 6 MW) lasers has been demonstrated. Breakdown of 10-mil Lexan dielectric sheets stressed to 70 kV was initiated by a focused 6 MW, Nd in YAG laser emitting 40 mJ in a pulse 6 ns wide at the half-peak intensity height. Delays achieved were in the tens of ns. Slight increases in laser power or electrical stress should produce shorter delays (<10 ns) and subnanosecond jitter.
Guenther
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AH
Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87417, USA.
Copeland
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RP
Bettis
J R
JR