Apparatus and method for generating high-power, high-voltage pulses, particularly for TE gas lasers

US5138622A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Dirk Friede · Goldbach, DE
• Willi Bette · Erlangen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 20, 1990
• Grant date: Aug 11, 1992
• Expiry date: Dec 20, 2010

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H03K3/55
• WIPO field: Basic communication processes
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method for generating high-power, high-voltage pulses for a laser having laser electrodes with an electrode path includes at least one charge unit. A pulse-generating network has an input side connected to the at least one charge unit and an output side connected to the laser electrodes. The pulse-generating network has a first branch and a second branch connected parallel to one another and connected to the laser electrodes. The first branch has a first charge capacitor with a relatively high capacitance and a magnetic switch in the form of a saturatable inductor connected in series with the first charge capacitor. The second branch has a second charge capacitor with a relatively low capacitance. A trigger branch is connected parallel to the electrode path. The trigger branch has at least one high-voltage switch and an in-series inductance. The high voltage switch serves as a trigger for initiating a saturation of the magnetic switch and a discharge of the first charge capacitor through the saturated magnetic switch into the laser electrode path.