Application of laser radiation for control of RADAN compact pulse generator

Abstract

This paper presents the results of experimental and theoretical investigations of a plasma jet formed by YAG: Nd3+ laser radiation on an anode in a high-voltage gas gap. Conditions corresponding to the minimal instability of 0.3 ns and delay were experimentally found. The physical mechanisms determining the delay of the gas gap overlap by the plasma jet and the obtained instability level are discussed. A model of processes occurring on the ionization wavefront determined by the absorption/excitation of gas atoms and by the effects of a high-field domain was proposed.