Title :
A laser triggered plasma switch
Author :
Isberg, J. ; Skytt, P. ; Ekberg, M. ; Sunesson, A. ; Bergkvist, M. ; Gustafsson, A. ; Berhoff, H.
Author_Institution :
ABB Corp. Res., Vasteras, Sweden
Abstract :
A closing plasma switch triggered by the formation of a continuous laser spark between two electrodes has been developed and tested. The plasma channel is formed by focusing a Nd-YAG laser beam into a line focus using an axicon. The holdoff/minimum triggerable voltage ratio exceeds 1000. A model of the optical intensity distribution in the line focus is presented and compared with experimental results on plasma formation.
Keywords :
electrodes; laser beam applications; laser beams; plasma diagnostics; plasma switches; pulsed power switches; switchgear testing; Nd-YAG laser beam; axicon; closing plasma switch; continuous laser spark; electrodes; holdoff/minimum triggerable voltage ratio; laser-triggered plasma pulsed power switch; line focus; optical intensity distribution model; plasma channel; plasma formation; Electrodes; Laser modes; Lenses; Optical pulses; Optical refraction; Optical switches; Plasma applications; Sparks; Testing; Voltage;
Conference_Titel :
Pulsed Power Conference, 1999. Digest of Technical Papers. 12th IEEE International
Conference_Location :
Monterey, CA, USA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-5498-2
DOI :
10.1109/PPC.1999.825431
