Time constants of spark discharges initiated by a gas-laser beam of λ = 0.3371 μ

An investigation was made of the time constants of spark discharges initiated by a laser beam of λ = 0.3371 μ and 10 kW peak power. The experiments were carried out at pressures of 1–8 atm In a discharge chamber. The discharge gap was 1–10 mm and the applied voltage was 10–200 kV. The laser beam was directed onto a copper cathode through a grid-like anode. The discharge delay time varied, depending on the conditions, from 1 to 100 nsec. The fluctuations of the delay time did not exceed ±3 nsec even at voltages close to the static breakdown value. This high stability of the triggering of the discharge gaps indicated that the laser beam in question was a suitable source for initiation of high-power spark discharges.