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

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.