Optically triggered high voltage switch with cesium vapor

Details Optically triggered high voltage switch with cesium vapor Optically triggered high voltage switch with cesium vapor

1986-12-18

1988-08-02

Nelms, David C.

Radiant energy

Photocells; circuits and apparatus

Photocell controlled circuit

315150, 313638, 313550, 313 15, 313564, 313611, H01J 4014, H05B 3702

Patent

active

047615486

ABSTRACT:
An electric arc discharge switch having less susceptibility to electrode erosion and capable of being optically triggered. In a first embodiment the switch includes a gas tight body defining a hollow interior with electrodes mounted onto the body and forming a conducting path into the body interior. Portions of the body are optically transmissive to light frequencies above the photoelectric effect cutoff frequency for cesium vapor. A buffer gas and a predetermined quantity of vaporizable cesium are disposed within the hollow body interior and a flash lamp may be mounted onto the switch exterior. In operation, light frequencies above the photoelectric effect cutoff frequency for cesium are introduced into the switch body, ionizing the cesium vapor therein and reducing the resistance and breakdown voltage between the electrodes so as to initiate an electric arc. In an alternative embodiment a control plate with an aperture is disposed within the switch body between the electrodes. The control plate provides better control over electric arc formation and switch "turn-on."

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patent: 4401920 (1983-08-01), Taylor et al.
patent: 4645974 (1987-02-01), Asai
patent: 4709185 (1987-11-01), Hoeberechts et al.

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