Laser-Triggered Solid Dielectric Switching

A Q-switched ruby laser was used to initiate breakdown in solid dielectric switches with a jitter of less than 3 ns. "Lexan" polycarbonate in thickness from 40 to 80 mils withstood applied voltage pulses (less than 1 μs duration) of up to 400 kV. Laser pulse energy of less than 1 joule was sufficient to initiate breakdown in the solid dielectric. A focusing lens and the switch container were immer...