Subnanosecond-jitter laser-triggered switching at moderate repetition rates

A 50-kV laser-triggered spark gap operated at repetition rates to 50 pps is described. Jitter of delay time as low as ± 0.1 ns was demonstrated. Dependence of delay and jitter was investigated as a function of gas mixture, pressure, laser power, and electrode material. Subnanosecond jitter was obtained with as little as 0.17 mJ in a 6-ns giant pulse from a Nd
⁺³
in a YAG laser. The dielectric gases used included a high proportion of Ar mixed with N
2
or SF
6
.