EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF XeCl LASER-TRIGGERED GAS SWITCHES

The performance of XeCl excimer laser-triggered DC-charged gas (N₂, SF₆) switches was studied. The experimental results indicated that triggering thresholds of XeCl laser (λ = 308nm, FWHM=21ns) for N₂ and SF₆ were about 10⁸W/cm² at 0.1 MPa and 80% V_SB and the delay and jitter time decreased with increasing of laser energy and undervoltage ratio. At 90% Fsg (V_SB = 36.5kV) and 33.8mJ of laser energy, the delay and jitter time of nitrogen switch was less than 85.5ns and 400ps, respectively. At the same undervoltage ratio, the minimum jitter for SF₆ switch (V_SB=52kV) was 2ns. The delay of SF₆ gas switch was consistent with that given by T. H.Martin's formula.