Photoconductive Pulse Power Switches

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA638301 | Open PDF

Abstract:

This paper outlines the advantages and the potential of photoconductive switches applied to pulse power systems. The photoconductive effect can be used to switch large amounts of energy by changing the conductivity of a solid-state circuit element many orders of magnitude with a high-power laser. The simplicity of these devices offers many advantages in pulse power applications when combined with high-power pulsed lasers. The surge capability, the switched energy gain, and the maximum average power for photoconductive power switches are discussed. In addition, the results of a 100-kV, 100-MW photoconductive switch experiment transferring 20 J in 200 ns are presented.

Author(s):
Nunnally, W. C.
Author Organization(s):
LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LAB NM
Supplementary Note:
See also ADM002371. 2013 IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, Digest of Technical Papers 1976-2013, and Abstracts of the 2013 IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science. Held in San Francisco, CA on 16-21 June 2013. U.S. Government or Federal Purpose Rights License
Pagination:
0005

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
DOE
 Subject Terms
Modernization Areas:
Microelectronics
Communities of Interest:
Energy and Power Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*OPTICAL SWITCHING, *PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY, *PULSED LASERS, ADIABATIC CONDITIONS, CIRCUITS, CONTROL, ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE, INDUCTANCE, TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Field(s)/Group(s):
Lasers and Masers, Electrooptical and Optoelectronic Devices, Electricity and Magnetism
Keyword(s):
PCPS(PHOTOCONDUCTIVE POWER SWITCHES), OPTICAL CONTROL, BULK CARRIER GENERATION, CARRIER REMOVAL, CIRCUIT INDEPENDENT CONTROLS, INDUCTANCE RESISTANCE RATIOS, ALTERNATE CIRCUIT CONCEPTS, SWITCHED ENERGY GAIN, MAXIMUM AVERAGE POWER
Report Date:
1983 Jun 01
Creation Date:
2016 Oct 12