The Electra repetitive pulsed power design, results and advanced studies

Electra is an R&D program to develop a durable, efficient, high energy, repetitively pulsed average power krypton flouride (KrF) laser. The first generation pulsed power system for the program is based on transformer and gas insulated spark gap technologies. The system has been installed at the Naval Research Laboratory and was recently tested at 5 Hz and the full 1 MV output voltage for over 100,000 shots. This paper describes the circuit and ancillaries of this system as well as the most recent test results including electrode erosion rates.