A laser-triggered spark gap for 750 kV, 20 ns risetime impulse generator

Author

Parpal, J.-L. ; Mercure, H.P. ; Mitchel, G.R.

Author_Institution

Inst. de Recherche d´´Hydro-Quebec, Varennes, Que., Canada

Volume

24

Issue

6

fYear

1989

fDate

12/1/1989 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

1191

Lastpage

1197

Abstract

A description is given of a nanosecond-risetime, 750-kV spark gap impulse generator that is triggered by an ultraviolet laser pulse (KrF, λ=249 nm). The SLITS (SF₆ laser-induced triggering system) is an add-on fast switching capability that makes use of the existing equipment (Marx, AC or DC) and can be triggered at voltages as low as 10% of the spontaneous breakdown voltage of the gap. The output voltage can be varied simply by adjusting the internal delay of the laser or the source voltage, eliminating the awkward adjustment of the sphere gaps required in a conventional pulse generator. Jitter is reduced too less than 10 ns at 80% of the spontaneous breakdown voltage, making the output waveform highly reproducible

Keywords

laser beam applications; pulse generators; spark gaps; 20 ns; 249 nm; 750 kV; SLITS; impulse generator; internal delay; jitter; laser-induced triggering system; laser-triggered spark gap; risetime; source voltage; spark gap; spontaneous breakdown voltage; ultraviolet laser pulse; DC generators; Electric breakdown; Electrodes; Free electron lasers; Jitter; Lightning; Optical pulse generation; Pulse generation; Sparks; Voltage;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Electrical Insulation, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9367

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/14.46354

Filename

46354