Single switch as a driver of two high-repetition-rate lasers

Generation of two synchronized high-voltage discharges at a 200-Hz repetition rate by rotating a suitably configured circular dielectric plate between two pairs of spark gap electrodes is reported. The delay between the discharges could be varied from less than a microsecond to more than a millisecond by locating the electrodes of the spark gaps judiciously with respect to the passing holes of the dielectric plate. The performance of the device has been tested by switching a total of 2.5 kW power on two identical dummy loads resembling a typical transversely excited (TE) laser in terms of resistance. Operation of the switch in the triggered mode has been achieved by use of an optical sensor. The test on a real transversely excited atmosphere (TEA) CO₂ laser load was limited to a 50-Hz repetition rate. Inadequate cooling of the laser gas mixture and the accumulation of discharge products led to arcing beyond this pulse repetition frequency. © 1997 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.