Skip to main content

A Review of Back Lighted Thyratron Physics and Applications

  • Chapter

Abstract

This review discusses a new device, the back-lighted thyratron. The review includes discussion of physics studies of the BLT plasma and cathode, several new applications to the development of practical plasma based devices needed to test and develop concepts for plasma based accelerators, electromagnetic sources, and related devices such as plasma lenses, and the application as a high power switch.

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

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. G. Kirkman and M. A. Gundersen, “A Light Initiated Glow Discharge Switch for High Power Applications,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 49(9) 494, (1986). For comprehensive reviews see “High power hollow electrode thyratron-type switches,” K. Frank, E. Boggasch, J. Christiansen, A. Goertler, W. Hartmann, C. Kozlik, G. Kirkman, C. G. Braun, V. Dominic, H. Riege and M.A. Gundersen, Proceedings, Sixth IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, June 1987, and “High power hollow electrode thyratron-type switches,” K. Frank, E. Boggasch, J. Christiansen, A. Goertler, W. Hartmann, C. Kozlik, G. Kirkman, C. G. Braun, V. Dominic, M.A. Gundersen, H. Riege and G. Mechtersheimer, IEEE Trans Plasma Science PS-16,317, (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. H.J. Cirkel, “High power excimer laser”, Presented at Lasers’ 87, Lake Tahoe, CA, Dec. 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  3. E. Boggasch, V. Brueckner, and H. Riege, “A 400 kA pulse generator with pseudo-spark switches”, Proceedings of the 5th IEEE Pulsed Power Conference, Arlington, VA, pp. 820, 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  4. C.G. Braun, W. Hartmann, V. Dominic, G. Kirkman, M. Gundersen and G. McDuff, “Fiber optic triggered high-power low-pressure glow discharge switches,” IEEE Trans. Electron Devices, Vol. 35,(4), 559 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. W. Hartmann and M. A. Gundersen “Origin of Anomalous Emission in Superdense Glow Discharge”, Phys Rev Lett., 60, 2371 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. “Evidence for large area super-emission into a high current glow discharge,” W. Hartmann, V. Dominic, G.F. Kirkman, and M.A. Gundersen, App. Phys. Lett. 53(18), 1699 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. “A super-emissive self heated cathode for high power applications,” W. Hartmann, G. F. Kirkman, V. Dominic, and M.A. Gundersen, IEEE Trans. Elect. Dev. 36(4), 825 (1989).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. “An analysis of the anomalous high current cathode emission in pseudo-spark and BLT switches,” W. Hartmann, V. Dominic, G. Kirkman, and M. A. Gundersen, J. Appl. Phys. 65(11), 4388 (1989).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. See “Workshop on the Fundamentals and Applications of the Pseudospark Discharge”, Bad Honnef, West Germany, October 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  10. “High current plasma based electron source,” H. R. Bauer and M. A. Gundersen, submitted to Appl. Phys. Lett.

    Google Scholar 

  11. “A two component model for the electron distribution function in a high current pseudospark or back-lighted thyratron,” H. Bauer, G. Kirkman, and M. A. Gundersen, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 18(2) (1990).

    Google Scholar 

  12. J.B. Rosenzweig, D.B. Cline, B. Cole, H. Figueroa, W. Gai, R. Konecny, J. Norem, P. Schoessow, and J. Simpson, Phys. Rev. Lett., 61, 98 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. T. Tajima and J. Dawson, Phys. Rev. Lett. 43, 267 (1979).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. P. Chen et. al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 54, 693 (1985).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. T. Katsouleas, J.J. Su, W.B. Mori, C. Joshi and J.M. Dawson, “A compact 100 MEV accelerator based on plasma wakefields”, presented at OE /LASE, Los Angeles, Jan. 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  16. See, for example A.D. Bandrauk, Ed., “Atomic and Molecular Processes with Short Intense Laser Pulses”, NATO ASI Series B: Physics, Plenu Press (1987). This provides a current review of multiphoton ionization problems, and several articles specifically address multiphoton ionization in hydrogen.

    Google Scholar 

  17. See, for example, S. Turner, Ed., “Proceedings of the workshop on new developments in particle acceleration techniques”, Orsay, Fr, 29 June–4 July 1987, available from CERN, Publication CERN 87-11, ECFA 87/110 (1987).

    Google Scholar 

  18. E.B. Forsyth, L.M. Lederman and J. Sunderland, “The Brookhaven-Columbia plasma lens”, IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci. 12, 872 (1965). See also P. Chen, “A possible final focusing mechanism for linear collider”, Particle Accelerators 20, 171 (1982), P. Chen, J.J. Su, T. Katsouleas and J.M. Dawson, “Plasma focusing for high-energy beams”, IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. PS-15 (2), 218 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. H. Figueroa, W. Gai, R. Konecny, J. Norem, A. Ruggiero, P. Schoessow, and J. Simpson, “Direct measurement of beam-induced fields in accelerating structures,” Phys. Rev. Lett. 60, 2144 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. H. Figueroa, G. Kirkman, and M.A. Gundersen, “A plasma lens candidate with highly stable properties,” Proceedings of the 1989 Workshop on Advanced Accelerator Concepts, Lake Arrowhead, California, Jan. 9–13, 1989, in press.

    Google Scholar 

  21. F. Muller, Reported at the “Workshop on the Fundamentals and Applications of the Pseudospark Discharge,” Bad Honnef, West Germany, October 1987.

    Google Scholar 

  22. H. Figueroa and C. Joshi, Laser Interaction and Related Plasma Phenomena, 7, 241, Plenum Press (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. J. Christiansen and Ch. Shultheiss, “Production of High Current Particle Beams by Low Pressure Spark Discharge”, Z. Physik A 290, 35 (1979); W. Benker, J. Christiansen, K. Frank, H. Gundel, W. Hartmann, T. Redel, M. Stetter, “Pulsed Intense Electron Beams from Pseudospark Discharges”, SPEE OE/LASE Los Angeles, January, 1988; E. Boggasch, T. A. Fine and M. J. Rhee, “Measurement of Pseudospark Produced Electron Beam”, Bull. Amer. Phys. Soc, 33, 1951, (1988); G. Kirkman, M. Gundersen, reported at the 1988 IEEE Electron Devices Meeting, Dec. 1988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. G. F. Kirkman, H. Figueroa and M. A. Gundersen, “A plasma lens with highly stable properties,” 1989 Workshop on Advanced Accelerator Concepts.

    Google Scholar 

  25. D.A. Erwin and M.A. Gundersen, “Measurement of excited-state densities during high-current operation of a hydrogen thyratron using laser-induced fluorescence,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 48, 1773 (1986). D.A. Erwin, J.A. Kunc, and M.A. Gundersen, “Determination of electric field and electron temperature in the positive column of a high-power thyratron from non-intrusive measurements,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 48, 1727 (1986).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. W. Hartmann V. Dominic, G. Kirkman, and M. A. Gundersen, “Evidence for Large Area Super-Emission into a Glow Discharge,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 53, 1699 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. C. G. Braun, D. A. Erwin and M.A. Gundersen, “Fundamental processes affecting recovery in hydrogen thyratrons,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 50(19), 1325 (1987).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Gundersen, M.A. (1991). A Review of Back Lighted Thyratron Physics and Applications. In: Hora, H., Miley, G.H. (eds) Laser Interaction and Related Plasma Phenomena. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3804-2_34

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-3804-2_34

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6696-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-3804-2

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics