title: Low power laser trigger switching of a solid insulated spark gap.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87417, USA.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Guenther
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Copeland
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bettis