High-repetition-rate pseudospark switches for pulsed high-power lasers

Peter G. Bickel; Jens Christiansen; K. H. Frank; Andreas Goertler; Werner Hartmann; Claudius Kozlik; Peter Wiesneth

doi:10.1117/12.46929

1 September 1991 High-repetition-rate pseudospark switches for pulsed high-power lasers

Peter G. Bickel, Jens Christiansen, K. H. Frank, Andreas Goertler, Werner Hartmann, Claudius Kozlik, Peter Wiesneth

Proceedings Volume 1503, Excimer Lasers and Applications III; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.46929
Event: ECO4 (The Hague '91), 1991, The Hague, Netherlands

Abstract

The experimental results of high-repetition-rate pseudospark switch testing are reported, with particular interest in applications like high-repetition- rate, high-average power excimer lasers and pulsed TEA CO2 lasers. Typical test parameters are hold-off voltage of about 20 kV, peak currents around 15 kA, and pulse durations of less than 100 ns, discharge conditions that are typical for high average power excimer lasers. These were realized in a low inductive discharge circuit using discrete ceramic capacitors of up to 10 nF total capacitance and an impedance of about 1 (Omega) . The resulting peak currents were about 19 kA in the short-circuited, ringing discharge. A special feature of the switch is being capable to withstand severe current reversal, high rates of current rise of about 5*1011 A/s and peak currents above 20 kA. Some 107 shots have been performed with a sealed-off metal-ceramic pseudospark switch with integrated hydrogen reservoir without degradation of the switch performance. In this setup, repetition rates of up to 1.8 kHz were achieved. The switch-triggering behavior and measurements of the switch resistance in dependence of the peak current are reported.

Citation Download Citation

Peter G. Bickel, Jens Christiansen, K. H. Frank, Andreas Goertler, Werner Hartmann, Claudius Kozlik, and Peter Wiesneth "High-repetition-rate pseudospark switches for pulsed high-power lasers", Proc. SPIE 1503, Excimer Lasers and Applications III, (1 September 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.46929

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