Laser-Triggered Surface Flashover Characteristics of Polycarbonate with Pulsed Voltage

Based on the platform of laser-triggered surface flashover in pulsed voltage, experiment of laser-triggered surface flashover is carried out in air and vacuum condition with pulsed voltage. A single/double harmonic, with wavelength l of 1064/532 nm, Q-switched Nd: YAG laser is applied to trigger the surface flashover. The test system consists of flat electrodes and columned insulator. The material of electrode is copper and the material of insulator is polycarbonate. Laser pulse's wavelengths are 532nm and 1064nm, and laser is focused with rectangle. The results of experiment show that flashover delay time and jitter time decrease with increase of pulsed voltage or laser energy density, the delay time of 1064nm laser trigger is larger than that of 532nm laser trigger, and the delay time and jitter time in vacuum condition are less than the delay time and jitter time in air condition.