Pulse Charged Line for Laser Pumping

Abstract

The aim of this short series of experiments was to show the feasibility of a generator providing a current of about 300 kA with a maximum rate of rise of about 8 × 10¹³ amps per second, by means of a cheap, simple system. In addition, it was desirable that the generator should use gas switches, so that the rate of firing could be a few a minute. The above requirements meant that the approach used by John Shipman of NRL (which uses triggered solid dielectric switches) would not be satisfactory. John Shipman’s elegant system provides a short circuit current of 500 kA and a slightly faster rise to the current pulse, but it was felt that even though the performance of the new system was going to be poorer, its speed of operation and cheapness would compensate for this.

SSWA/JCM/732/373 February 17, 1973