High-power electrically tunable switch
US11942760B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2018 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10N70/00
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A high-voltage switch, whose operation leverages the speed of electrons to generate the “on” time of the pulse in combination with the speed of light to generate the “off” time of the pulse, is described. In one example, the high-voltage switch includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a region of non-absorbing material occupying a portion of the space between the first and second electrodes and allowing a laser pulse to propagate therethrough without substantial absorption, and a region of absorbing material occupying another portion of the space and producing a charged particle cloud upon receiving the laser pulse. The high-voltage switch remains “on” upon the charged particle cloud reaching an electrode and until it has been collected by the electrode, and where the high-voltage switch remains “off” subsequent to the collection and until another generated charged particle cloud reaches the electrode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.