Synchronization of laser pulse and voltage pulse in laser-triggered surface flashover

With the aim of studying the characteristics of laser-triggered surface flashover in voltage pulse, synchronization problem of laser pulse and voltage pulse should be solved. Of the laser-triggered surface flashover facilities, a high precision laser trigger system is built up. A single/double harmonic, with wavelength λ of 1064/532 nm, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser is used to trigger the surface flashover. The synchronization problem is solved using a self-made digital delay/pulse generator. The delay time and jitter of Marx´s trigger input and output, Marx´s trigger output and Marx´s output, laser input and output are respectively measured. Based on the result of the delay time and the timing sequence of the laser triggering system, digital delay/pulse generator controls Marx´s trigger and the Xe lamp of laser, and the Q-switch of laser is controlled by the Marx´s output. The synchronization of laser pulse and voltage pulse is obtained through adjusting the channel delay time of digital delay/pulse generator.