Spectroscopic Studies of Gas Switches for Linear Transformer Drivers

Summary form only given. Gas switches, whether pulse-triggered or laser-triggered, have been used reliably with low jitter for various pulsed power drivers. We are investigating the emission spectrum of the breakdown arcs in several novel air-filled, pulse-triggered switches for Linear Transformer Drivers (LTDs). In addition, we are investigating the spectrum of a laser-produced arc in SF₆ since these laser-produced arcs are used to trigger the 6-MV gas switches being designed for an upgrade to Sandia´s Z-machine. Electrical, spectroscopic, and high-speed camera diagnostics are employed to study the underlying physics that governs the switch operation. For the switch studies, in air and SF₆, the optical spectrum which covers the visible and near UV range is dominated by continuum emission. Temperature calculations, based on blackbody emission curves, are reported.