Current Rise Time Research Articles

Enhanced performance of a repetitively pulsed 130 mJ KrF laser with improved pre-ionization parameters

Studies related to the effect of pre-ionizer on laser output energy of a repetitively pulsed KrF laser are presented. The dependence of laser output energy, spectral width and beam spot homogeneity on pre-ionization parameters, namely its current and voltage rise time are reported here. Here, effectiveness of pre-ionization is optimized by improving pre-ionization current and rise time of the pump pulse of the automatic UV pre-ionizer KrF laser. It is observed that by increasing pre-ionization current from 6 kA to 10.6 kA, the output energy increases by about 30% (from 100 to 130 mJ). It is also observed that the emission spectral width reduces by almost 60% by increasing the pre-ionization current. Regular homogeneous and well-developed beam spot (nearly Hat-Top profile) was achieved under these optimized conditions.

开关放电分散性对FLTD模块输出的影响模拟

This paper builds up a circuit model of the switch synchronously discharge in the FLTD stage and a circuit simulation model of the FLTD stage. The switch in FLTD simulation model integrates the switch controlled by voltage and self-break switch. The FLTD stage simulation model can simulate stage output influence by switch discharge jitter and bricks discharge each other. The simulation model has been validated by the experiment result of a 14-brick FLTD stage. The influence of the 20-brick FLTD stage output current peak and rise-time with switches discharge synchronously have been simulated by the circuit simulation model of the FLTD. The simulation results indicate that the stage output influence is insignificant when the jitter of switch is less than 5 ns.

直线变压器驱动源模块输出电流上升时间调节

直线变压器驱动源模块输出电流上升时间调节

Estimating of current rise time of glow discharge in triode electrode system in case of control pulsing

There are represented relations for approximate estimation of discharge current rise time in triode electrode systems of high-voltage glow discharge in case of applying of control pulses to auxiliary electrode. Theoretical transient analysis of high-voltage glow discharge is based on definition of the anode plasma volume and its ions concentration. Represented calculations show current rise time in real systems of high-voltage glow discharge is from 20 to 250 μs. Obtained results have great practical value for design of cathode-ray equipment.

Power and energy dissipation in negative lightning return strokes

In this paper the temporal variation of the electric field along the negative return stroke channel is calculated and this information in turn is used to evaluate the power and energy dissipation in negative return strokes. Moreover, by plugging in the results obtained here with the spark equation of Braginski, the temporal and spatial variations of the return stroke speed, the radius and the resistance of the return stroke channel were investigated. The results of the study showed that for a typical subsequent return stroke current pulse having a peak current of 12kA in the return stroke channel: (a) The peak power dissipation is about 4×109W/m; (ii) the energy dissipation over the first 70μs or so is about (2–3)×103J/m; (iii) the maximum channel radius is about 1cm; and (iv) the resistance of the channel is about 0.5Ω/m. The study also revealed that the speed of the return stroke is governed not only by the peak current, but also by the risetime of the current. The study shows that the speed of the return stroke increases with increasing peak current but it decreases with increasing current risetime. The results obtained using available experimental data on first return strokes indicate that the risetime of the return stroke current increases with increasing peak current. It is shown that this tendency for the first return stroke current risetime to increase with return stroke peak current could completely mask the relationship between the first return stroke speed and return stroke peak current. It is suggested that the apparent absence of such a relationship in experimental data is caused by these variations.

High-Current Stages in a Low-Pressure Glow Discharge With Hollow Cathode

This paper presents an interpretation of the dense and superdense glow discharge stages in pseudospark switch geometry. The discharge is treated as a self-organizing system that is able to rearrange itself to provide the current requested by external electric circuit. The principal discharge regions in the glow stages are the hollow-cathode plasma, the positive column plasma, and the double electric layer that separates these plasma regions. A model that allows some quantitative estimates when applied to the hollow-cathode plasma is developed, in which a generalized secondary emission coefficient that considers an external emission current is introduced. The abrupt transition from dense glow stage to superdense glow stage occurs because of microexplosions at the cathode surface and appearing the metal vapor plasma. In terms of the model, this means an abrupt increase in the secondary emission coefficient. The comparison with the experiment is made for discharges in hydrogen and xenon at a current up to several kiloamperes and at a current rise time from several microseconds to hundreds of nanoseconds. The physical reasons for the current quenching effect that manifests itself at a decreased gas pressure are also discussed.

Gradual Tuning of the Current Pulse Width Within 1-0.03 ns in Gas-Filled Diodes of Nanosecond Electron Accelerators

The conditions for the generation of subnanosecond and picosecond electron beams with a tunable pulse width are studied on an SLEP-150 generator with a tubular cathode at a voltage pulse rise time of 0.3 ns. The width and shape of the beam current pulse are varied by varying the pressure and gas kind in the diode. It is shown that in the vacuum diode mode, the beam current rise time decreases from <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex Notation="TeX">${\sim}{0.5}$</tex></formula> to <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex Notation="TeX">${\sim}{\rm 0.2}~{\rm ns}$</tex></formula> as the interelectrode gap is decreased from 12 to <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex Notation="TeX">${\sim}{\rm 2}~{\rm mm}$</tex> </formula> . It is found that with a 3-mm interelectrode gap, increasing the air pressure in the diode of the SLEP-150 generator from 0.1 to 6 torr decreases the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the current pulse from <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex Notation="TeX">${\sim}{1}$</tex></formula> to 0.18 ns, with the beam current amplitude greater than 400 A and the beam current rise time less delayed with respect to the voltage pulse rise time. It is confirmed that with a nanosecond voltage pulse, the residual pressure of helium, nitrogen, and air in the diode ( <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex Notation="TeX">${\sim}{0.1}$</tex></formula> torr or less) does not affect the beam current amplitude and pulse width. At low pressure of air in the gas diode, the attained beam current density at a beam current pulse FWHM of 0.18-1 and <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex Notation="TeX">${\sim}{\rm 0.1}~{\rm ns}$</tex></formula> is <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><tex Notation="TeX">${\sim}{500}$</tex></formula> and <formula formulatype="inline" xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex Notation="TeX">${\sim}{100}~{\rm A}/{\rm cm}^{2}$</tex></formula> , respectively.

Initial magnetic field compression studies using gas-puff Z-pinches and thin liners on COBRA

This magnetic compression of cylindrical liners filled with DT gas has promise as an efficient way to achieve fusion burn using pulsed-power machines. However, to avoid rapid cooling of the fuel by transfer of heat to the liner an axial magnetic field is required. This field has to be compressed during the implosion since the thermal insulation is more demanding as the compressed DT plasma becomes hotter and its volume smaller. This compression of the magnetic field is driven both by the imploding liner and plasma. To highlight how this magnetic field compression by the plasma and liner evolves we have separately studied Z-pinch implosions generated by gas puff and liner loads. The masses of the gas puff and liner loads were adjusted to match COBRA's current rise times. Our results have shown that Ne gas-puff implosions are well described by a snowplow model where electrical currents are predominately localized to the outer surface of the imploding plasma and the magnetic field is external to the imploding plasma. Liner implosions are dominated by the plasma ablation process on the inside surface of the liner and the electrical currents and magnetic fields are advected into the inner plasma volume; the sharp radial gradient associated with the snowplow process is not present.

Altered Cortical GABAA Receptor Composition, Physiology, and Endocytosis in a Mouse Model of a Human Genetic Absence Epilepsy Syndrome

Patients with generalized epilepsy exhibit cerebral cortical disinhibition. Likewise, mutations in the inhibitory ligand-gated ion channels, GABAA receptors (GABAARs), cause generalized epilepsy syndromes in humans. Recently, we demonstrated that heterozygous knock-out (Hetα1KO) of the human epilepsy gene, the GABAAR α1 subunit, produced absence epilepsy in mice. Here, we determined the effects of Hetα1KO on the expression and physiology of GABAARs in the mouse cortex. We found that Hetα1KO caused modest reductions in the total and surface expression of the β2 subunit but did not alter β1 or β3 subunit expression, results consistent with a small reduction of GABAARs. Cortices partially compensated for Hetα1KO by increasing the fraction of residual α1 subunit on the cell surface and by increasing total and surface expression of α3, but not α2, subunits. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that Hetα1KO increased the fraction of α1 subunits, and decreased the fraction of α3 subunits, that associated in hybrid α1α3βγ receptors. Patch clamp electrophysiology studies showed that Hetα1KO layer VI cortical neurons exhibited reduced inhibitory postsynaptic current peak amplitudes, prolonged current rise and decay times, and altered responses to benzodiazepine agonists. Finally, application of inhibitors of dynamin-mediated endocytosis revealed that Hetα1KO reduced base-line GABAAR endocytosis, an effect that probably contributes to the observed changes in GABAAR expression. These findings demonstrate that Hetα1KO exerts two principle disinhibitory effects on cortical GABAAR-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission: 1) a modest reduction of GABAAR number and 2) a partial compensation with GABAAR isoforms that possess physiological properties different from those of the otherwise predominant α1βγ GABAARs.

Statistical Distributions of Lightning Currents Associated With Upward Negative Flashes Based on the Data Collected at the Säntis (EMC) Tower in 2010 and 2011

This paper presents statistical distributions of lightning current parameters based on the lightning current and current-derivative waveforms measured at the Santis Tower site in 2010 and 2011. The total number of flashes analyzed in this study was 167, which includes nearly 2000 pulses. The statistical distributions refer to upward negative flashes. It is shown that negative flashes are mainly concentrated in the summer months during the convective season. Statistical data on the salient lightning current parameters, namely, peak current, peak current derivative, risetime, pulse charge, pulse duration, interpulse interval, and flash multiplicity are presented and discussed. The obtained data that constitute the largest dataset available to this date for upward negative flashes are also compared with other available statistical distributions.

Redox-sensitive synchronizing action of adenosine on transmitter release at the neuromuscular junction

The kinetics of neurotransmitter release was recognized recently as an important contributor to synaptic efficiency. Since adenosine is the ubiquitous modulator of presynaptic release in peripheral and central synapses, in the current project we studied the action of this purine on the timing of acetylcholine quantal release from motor nerve terminals in the skeletal muscle. Using extracellular recording from frog neuromuscular junction we tested the action of adenosine on the latencies of single quantal events in the pro-oxidant and antioxidant conditions. We found that adenosine, in addition to previously known inhibitory action on release probability, also synchronized release by removing quantal events with long latencies. This action of adenosine on release timing was abolished by oxidants whereas in the presence of the antioxidant the synchronizing action of adenosine was further enhanced. Interestingly, unlike the timing of release, the inhibitory action of adenosine on release probability was redox-independent. Modulation of release timing by adenosine was mediated by purinergic A1 receptors as it was eliminated by the specific A1 antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX) and mimicked by the specific A1 agonist N(6)-cyclopentyl-adenosine. Consistent with data obtained from dispersion of single quantal events, adenosine also reduced the rise-time of multiquantal synaptic currents. The latter effect was reproduced in the model based on synchronizing effect of adenosine on release timing. Thus, adenosine which is generated at the neuromuscular junction from the breakdown of the co-transmitter ATP induces the synchronization of quantal events. The effect of adenosine on release timing should preserve the fidelity of synaptic transmission via “cost-effective” use of less transmitter quanta. Our findings also revealed important crosstalk between purinergic and redox modulation of synaptic processes which could take place in the elderly or in neuromuscular diseases associated with oxidative stress like lateral amyotrophic sclerosis.

Development of a Long-Lifetime Spark Gap Switch and Its Trigger Generator for 2.0-MJ Capacitive Pulsed Power Supply Module

Starting from the updated requirements of an advanced laser system, a switch–trigger system for a 2.0-MJ pulsed power supply (PPS) module is developed. This paper discusses the design, construction, and testing of this switch–trigger system. The two-electrode construction for the spark gap switch is selected because of its superiority in terms of long working life, high peak currents, and fast rise time of currents. The trigger generator based on resonant charging of a pulse transformer is constructed. A magnetic isolator and a pressure controller are the auxiliary equipment of this system. In the section based on mathematical principles, the equations of the lifetime and stability of this spark gap switch with graphite electrodes are given. These expressions can be regarded as the design basis of the same type of switch. As for the trigger generator, the analysis states that an appropriate ratio can be obtained when using the resonant charging based on a core-type pulse transformer. The charging time is dependent on the leakage inductance and the capacitance of the primary and secondary capacitors. Extensive testing proves the operating parameters of the switches and the trigger generator. The measured discharge current waveform of the 2.0-MJ capacitive PPS module is demonstrated to be over 500 kA peak current and 500 ${\mu{\rm s}}$ pulse width. The life test proves that the switch–trigger system can support more than 200 kC transfer charge. By replacing the electrodes, the lifetime of this switch can be extended furthrer.

Experimental Results From a 4-Stage Synchronous Induction Coilgun

To demonstrate the multistage induction launch capability and test the accuracy of the simulation result, a small-scale, 4-stage synchronous induction coilgun is designed, fabricated, and tested based on the simulation result. The four coils are stacked end-to-end, forming a barrel, and each coil is energized by the identical pulsed power supply in sequence to create a traveling magnetic wave that accelerates a projectile. The inductance of four coils is tailored by changing the number of turns in order to decrease the pulsed current risetime. The tracking of the projectile location during a launching provides a precise feedback to control when the coils are triggered to create the wave. Two types of the projectiles are tested. A 0.65-kg sleeve projectile is accelerated from rest to 125 m/s with a projectile kinetic energy to capacitor-stored energy efficiency of 6%. A 1-kilogram sleeve projectile is accelerated from rest to 92 m/s with the efficiency of 5%. The solenoid projectile is broken at the bending point when it induces high current. The launcher provides data for model verification and the engineering basis for proceeding with larger multistage system. Further research is to improve the system efficiency and maximize the magnetic coupling between the driving coil and the projectile.

Ablation dynamics in coiled wire-array Z-pinches

Experiments to study the ablation dynamics of coiled wire arrays were performed on the MAGPIE generator (1 MA, 240 ns) at Imperial College, and on the COBRA generator at Cornell University's Laboratory of Plasma Studies (1 MA, 100 ns). The MAGPIE generator was used to drive coiled wires in an inverse array configuration to study the distribution of ablated plasma. Using interferometry to study the plasma distribution during the ablation phase, absolute quantitative measurements of electron line density demonstrated very high density contrasts between coiled ablation streams and inter-stream regions many millimetres from the wire. The measured density contrasts for a coiled array were many times greater than that observed for a conventional array with straight wires, indicating that a much greater axial modulation of the ablated plasma may be responsible for the unique implosion dynamics of coiled arrays. Experiments on the COBRA generator were used to study the complex redirection of plasma around a coiled wire that gives rise to the ablation structure exhibited by coiled arrays. Observations of this complex 3D plasma structure were used to validate the current model of coiled array ablation dynamics [Hall et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 065003 (2008)], demonstrating irrefutably that plasma flow from the wires behaves as predicted. Coiled wires were observed to ablate and implode in the same manner on both machines, indicating that current rise time should not be an issue for the scaling of coiled arrays to larger machines with fast current rise times.

Optical Triggering of 12 kV 1 cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; 4H-SiC Thyristors

We report on switch-on of 12 kV, 1cm2 optically triggered 4H-SiC thyristor fabricated by CREE Inc., to Imax=270 А with current rise time of ~ 3 s. Temperature dependence of holding current Ih in this thyristor has been experimentally studied in the temperature range from 300 to 425 K. It is shown that measurements of Ih temperature dependence under condition of optical switch-on at small anode bias and large load resistance reveal the existence of a ”weak point” within the optical window. This point is characterized by a much smaller critical charge than that within the remaining part of the window.

Microstructure Characterization of Graphite Cathodes for Explosive Field-Emission

Explosive field-emission graphite has the advantages of low cost, long lifetime, low outgassing rate and can operate stably at a large number of pulses, thus it has become an important candidate for repetition frequency, long-pulse high-power microwave (HPM) devices. In this paper, two types of graphite cathodes with different microstructures are investigated on their explosive field-emission properties. These cathodes are operated in a vacuum diode system at a voltage of 230 kV and a pulse duration of ~110 ns. The study reveals that the graphite cathode with smaller, cross-linked grains generates higher current at shorter current risetime compared to the cathode with larger grains. Furthermore, the microstructure defect regions of the graphite cathodes are more susceptible to destruction than the perfect microcrystalline regions during explosive emission process due to the combination effects of explosion of surface microprotrusions and Joule heating.

Shiftworkers report worse sleep than day workers, even in retirement

The aim of this study was to explore how the level of shiftwork exposure during an individual's working life might be related to subjectively reported sleep quality and timing during retirement. Telephone interviews regarding past employment and sleep timing and quality (among other variables) were conducted using a pseudo-random age-targeted sampling process. Subjective sleep quality was assessed using a telephone version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Timing of reported habitual bedtimes and rise-times were assessed using the Sleep Timing Questionnaire. Questions measuring morningness and subjective health were also given. Retired seniors (aged >65years, n=1113) were studied. Analysis was by analysis of variance, with shiftwork exposure in three bins [0 (n=387), 1-15 (n=371) and >15years (n=355)], gender (n=634 male, 479 female) and former occupation [in two broad categories, 'managerial' (n=437) versus 'other' (n=676)] as factors. In retired shiftworkers, relative to retired day workers, past exposure to shiftwork was associated with higher (worse) PSQI scores by 1.0 units (1-15years) and 0.6 units (>15years) (main effect P=0.005). There were also main effects of gender and former occupation (males and managerials reporting better sleep), but neither variable interacted with shiftwork exposure. The timing of current mean habitual bedtimes and rise-times (and also the variance around them) were very similar for the three shiftwork exposure groups. The shiftwork exposure effect did not appear to be mediated by either morningness or current health. Prior exposure to shiftwork would appear to be related to currently reported sleep problems during retirement.

Development of High Power Vacuum Tubes for Accelerators and Plasma Heating

High pulsed power magnetrons and klystrons for medical and industrial accelerators, and high CW power klystrons and gyrotrons for plasma heating in tokamak, are being developed at CEERI. S-band 2.0MW pulsed tunable magnetrons of centre frequency 2856MHz and 2998 MHz were developed, and S-band 2.6MW pulsed tunable magnetron is being developed for medical LINAC, and 3MW pulsed tunable magnetron is being developed for industrial accelerator. S-band (2856MHz), 5MW pulsed klystron was developed for particle accelerator, and S-band 6MW pulsed klystron is under development for 10MeV industrial accelerator. 350MHz, 100kW (CW) klystron is being developed for proton accelerator, and C-band 250kW (CW) klystron is being developed for plasma heating. 42GHz, 200kW (CW/Long pulse) gyrotron is under development for plasma heating. Plasma filled tubes are also being developed for switching. 25kV/1kA and 40kV/3kA thyratrons were developed for high voltage high current switching in pulse modulators for magnetrons and klystrons. 25kV/3kA Pseudospark switch of current rise time of 1kA/|a-sec and pulse repetition rate of 500Hz is being developed. Plasma assisted high power microwave device is also being investigated.

Temporal and Spatial Field Dynamics in Shielded Writer: A Micromagnetic Modeling Study

The characteristics of spatial and temporal field distributions are presented for wrap-around-shielded perpendicular magnetic recording writers. Micromagnetic modeling simulations are conducted to study the effects of shield thickness and the magnetization on the shield-related side field. An improvement of side field is found with the thicker shield thickness and higher saturation magnetization. The maximum side field is spatially and time dependent during the dynamic writing process. The side field reaches the maximum around the transitions, where the write field from the main pole is at the minimum. In addition, the write current rise-time effect on the side field is investigated.

TARP‐associated AMPA receptors display an increased maximum channel conductance and multiple kinetically distinct open states

Fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the CNS is mediated mainly by AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs), whose biophysical properties are dramatically modulated by the presence of transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins (TARPs). To help construct a kinetic model that will realistically describe native AMPAR/TARP function, we have examined the single-channel properties of homomeric GluA1 AMPARs in combination with the TARPs, γ-2, γ-4 and γ-5. In a saturating concentration of agonist, each of these AMPAR/TARP combinations gave rise to single-channel currents with multiple conductance levels that appeared intrinsic to the receptor-channel complex, and showed long-lived subconductance states. The open time and burst length distributions of the receptor complexes displayed multiple dwell-time components. In the case of γ-2- and γ-4-associated receptors, these distributions included a long-lived component lasting tens of milliseconds that was absent from both GluA1 alone and γ-5-associated receptors. The open time distributions for each conductance level required two dwell-time components, indicating that at each conductance level the channel occupies a minimum of two kinetically distinct open states. We have explored how these data place novel constraints on possible kinetic models of TARP-associated AMPARs that may be used to define AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission.