Breakdown processes in laser triggered switching

Date

1983-05

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Texas Tech University

Abstract

An investigation of laser triggered switching using a 1.06 µ NdrYAG laser to trigger a uniform field gap filled with 800 Torr of N2 has been performed in the following triggering geometries: 1) Transverse not striking electrodes, 2) Coaxial not striking electrodes, 3) Coaxial striking target electrode, and 4) Coaxial striking recess in target electrode. Streak photography, time resolved spectroscopy, and current measurements reveal great differences in the breakdown processes for the various geometries. The major differences are attributable to laser field interaction with the incipient arc channel. All breakdown processes except types 2 and 3 look quite similar to an overvolted breakdown. Diagnostics of type 2 triggering have shown a laser assisted streamer propagating from the laser fireball to the opposite electrode. Streak photography shows the streamer precursor of the breakdown channel initially proceeds across the gap at a few times 10 cm/sec, but slows to about 2X10 cm/sec as it advances in the focal cone to regions of lower laser intensity. The laser interaction with the streamer produces a uniform, high conductivity channel which emits intense continuum light once ohmic heating raises the channel temperature. When delay is greater than the laser pulse length two distinct regions can be detected in the arc channel; one, laser assisted, showing the abrupt, uniform continuum luminosity, and the other not laser assisted, appearing much like a weakly overvolted breakdown process, exhibiting a glow discharge stage followed by thermalization proceeding from the ends of the glow region towards the middle at 10 cm/sec.

Description

Keywords

Electric spark gaps, Lasers, Electric switchgear, Breakdown voltage, Electric discharges through gases

Citation