Patents Assigned to The United States of American as epresented by the United States the Department of Energy
  • Laser-triggered vacuum switch
    Patent number: 4978893
    Abstract: A laser-triggered vacuum switch has a material such as a alkali metal halide on the cathode electrode for thermally activated field emission of electrons and ions upon interaction with a laser beam, the material being in contact with the cathode with a surface facing the discharge gap. The material is preferably a mixture of KCl and Ti powders. The laser may either shine directly on the material, preferably through a hole in the anode, or be directed to the material over a fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: The United States of American as epresented by the United States the Department of Energy
    Inventors: Paul J. Brannon, Donald F. Cowgill