Title :
An optically triggered, glow switch Marx bank
Author :
Liou, R. ; Figueroa, H. ; Hsu, Y. ; Kirkman, G. ; Gundersen, M.A.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Electr. Eng.-Electrophys., Univ. of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
fDate :
6/1/1990 12:00:00 AM
Abstract :
Operation of high-powers lasers, electron and other accelerators, and other devices is often limited by power modulator performance. Results of an investigation of a concept for modulator switching that has the potential to significantly extend these limitations presented. The switching device is a three-stage Marx bank based on back-lighted thyratrons that are triggered using optical fibers. Potential advantages include optical isolation of triggering, operation of the switches in a glow mode, no external cathode heater, reduced volume and supporting systems, and high-precision (subnanosecond) triggering. A three-stage proof-of-principle Marx bank has been operated at 105 kV with a rise time of ⩽50 ns
Keywords :
high-voltage techniques; pulse generators; thyratrons; 105 kV; 50 ns; back-lighted thyratrons; glow mode; glow switch Marx bank; optical isolation; optically triggered Marx bank; proof-of-principle Marx bank; reduced volume; rise time; subnanosecond trigger precision; three-stage Marx bank; triggered using optical fibers; Cathodes; Electrons; Laser modes; Optical fibers; Optical modulation; Optical pulse shaping; Optical switches; Power lasers; Thyratrons; Voltage;
Journal_Title :
Electron Devices, IEEE Transactions on
