Reliable Fiber-Optic Triggering of a 50-kV Switch Using 532-nm Laser Light

Author

Beverly, Robert E.

Author_Institution

R.E. Beverly III & Assoc., Lewis Center, OH, USA

Volume

42

Issue

10

fYear

2014

fDate

Oct. 2014

Firstpage

2962

Lastpage

2967

Abstract

A robust fiber-optic beam transport system is described for laser triggering of moderate-pressure and moderate-voltage plasma closure switches. A plug-and-play topology is developed that requires no realignment following routine switch disassembly and maintenance. The required laser energy is minimized commensurate with consistent and reliable triggering. Beam launch, transport, collimation, and focusing criteria are defined in an effort to minimize switch runtime and jitter both individually, and in a large pulsed-power system with multiple switches firing in parallel.

Keywords

jitter; laser beams; optical collimators; optical fibres; optical focusing; plasma switches; pulsed power switches; beam launch; collimation; fiber-optic beam transport system; focusing criteria; large pulsed-power system; laser energy; laser light; laser triggering; maintenance; moderate-pressure plasma closure switches; moderate-voltage plasma closure switches; multiple switches; plug-and-play topology; reliable fiber-optic triggering; reliable triggering; routine switch disassembly; switch jitter; switch runtime; voltage 50 kV; wavelength 532 nm; Gas lasers; Jitter; Laser beams; Measurement by laser beam; Optical switches; Runtime; Closing switches; fiber optics; laser-triggered gas switches (LTGSs); pulsed-power system switches; spark gaps; spark gaps.;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TPS.2014.2304535

Filename

6750033