Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Low jitter reliable nanosecond spark source for optical short-duration measurements

  • Originals
  • Published:
Experiments in Fluids Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A simple nanosecond spark source (Nanospark) has been constructed from several small ceramic capacitors, one thyratron and one coaxial cable. During operation, a 500 pF capacitor in the spark head is pulsecharged in about 70 ns with automatic preionization from a high-voltage pulse generator switched by a thyratron. This charge is available for discharge when the gas breakdown starts. The preionization is useful to start the gas breakdown easily and to decrease the pulse to pulse jitter. This Nanospark produces 12–15 ns (FWHM) light pulses with a time jitter of less than 60 ns when operated at 8–11 kV and at air of atmospheric pressure. The initiation of the spark discharge is highly reliable. The spark has adequately exposed polaroid film (ASA 3000).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Fischer, H. 1961: Millimicrosecond light source with increased brightness. J. Opt. Soc. Am. 51, 543–547

    Google Scholar 

  • Früngel, F. B. A. 1965: High Speed Pulse Technology. Vol. 2, 24, 56, 64, 69, New York, London: Academic Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Früngel, F. B. A. 1984: Private communications

  • Henckels, A.; Grönig, H. 1984: Experimental studies of stress waves in elastic plates with curved boundary. IUTAM Symposium on Optical Methods in the Dynamics of Fluids and Solids, Prague. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo: Springer(in preparation)

    Google Scholar 

  • Merzkirch, W. 1974: Flow Visualization. New York: Academic Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Miyashiro, S. 1977: Dynamische Untersuchungen an einem Stickstofflaser. Dissertation, RWTH Aachen, p. 27

  • Schenck, P.; Metcalf, H. 1973: Low cost nitrogen laser design for dye laser pumping. Appl. Opt. 12, 183–186

    Google Scholar 

  • Takayama, K.; Onodera, O. 1984: Holographic interferometric study on propagation and focusing of underwater shock waves by micro-explosions. IUTAM Symposium on Optical Methods in the Dynamics of Fluids and Solids, Prague. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Tokyo: Springer (in preparation)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. S. Miyashiro

    Present address: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Anan Technical College, 774, Anan, Japan

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stoßwellenlabor, Institut fur Luft- und Raumfahrt, Technische Hochschule Aachen, Templergraben 55, D-5100, Aachen, FRG

    S. Miyashiro & H. Grönig

Authors
  1. S. Miyashiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. H. Grönig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Miyashiro, S., Grönig, H. Low jitter reliable nanosecond spark source for optical short-duration measurements. Experiments in Fluids 3, 71–75 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00276712

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00276712

Keywords

Search

Navigation