Research on the Time-Delay Characteristics of the Laser-Triggered Vacuum Switch

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science Vol. 43; no. 6; pp. 2005 - 2010
• Main Authors: Mao, Xiaopo, He, Zhenghao, Xu, Xinya, Wang, Ying, Fan, Wenfang, Lin, Huazhong, Song, Siqi, Wang, Yuqing
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.06.2015; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Delay effects; Electrodes; Experiments; Free electron lasers; Laser beams; Laser modes; Laser-triggered vacuum switch (LTVS); Lasers; Miniaturization; multiple wave crests; Plasmas; primary plasma; Switches; Switching; time delay; Vacuum technology; Laser-triggered vacuum switch (LTVS); time delay; multiple wave crests; primary plasma
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2015.2409196

The basic structure and work mechanism of laser-triggered vacuum switch (LTVS) are introduced briefly in this paper, and the processes of primary plasma production and expansion are analyzed as well. A series of experiments has been carried out with different gap voltages, laser wavelengths, laser energies, polarity configuration modes, switch structures, focal lengths, and laser waveforms. The switch structure is modified to improve the heavy-current capability of the switch, and the gap distance is increased to improve the voltage capacity. The special design of the trigger structure can reduce the dependence on the laser energy of the switch and the time delay. A new laser waveform of LTVS multiple wave crests could further decrease the laser energy, and it is the research basis of laser trigger miniaturization and its application in the LTVS.