Accession Number:

AD0625778

Title:

DESIGN STUDY OF A PHOTOELECTRICAL TRIGGER SYSTEM.

Descriptive Note:

Rept. for 15 Feb-28 May 65,

Corporate Author:

FIELD EMISSION CORP MCMINNVILLE OREG

Personal Author(s):

• Collins,Frank M.

Report Date:

1965-12-01

Pagination or Media Count:

50.0

Abstract:

A moderate-energy pulsed power system discharges 15 Marx-surge pulsers in parallel into an exploding-wire load. The present trigger system, which utilizes a common ultraviolet uv light source to irradiate a trigger gap in each pulser, requires operation with the pulser charging voltage set within about 2 percent of self-fire voltage to achieve simultaneous discharge of all pulsers within about 2 nanoseconds. This degree of synchronism is essential to achieve minimum voltage rise-tim and hence maximum wire temperature. The study describes an improved photoelectrical trigger system successfully developed experimentally, in which a fast-rise voltage trigger pulse is applied to a third electrode in the pulser trigger gap subsequent to uv illumination of the gap. Statistical data have been taken with a single pulser which predict successful triggering of the 15 system pulsers with a discharge simultaneity of about 1 nanosecond, for a pulser charging voltage of about 10 percent below selffire, while still maintaining original system voltage output, pulse waveform, total delay time, and delay adjustment techniques. The 15 separate trigger pulses required can be derived from the present system uv pulser by addition of a 116 coaxial cable transformer. Author

Descriptors:

• PULSE GENERATORS
• TRIGGER CIRCUITS
• EXPLODING WIRES
• ELECTRIC SWITCHES
• SPARKS
• ELECTRICITY
• POWER SUPPLIES

Subject Categories:

• Electrical and Electronic Equipment
• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE