Coaxial nanosecond flashlamp

We have developed a coaxial thyratron‐gated flashlamp capable of being operated with high stability over a much wider range of conditions than previous flashlamps. Novel methods for continuously monitoring discharge stability are described. We present comprehensive data on the dependence of pulse width and intensity on operating parameters. Using the single photon detection technique an overall instrumental profile of 950 ps FWHM and 630 ps rise time has been obtained using hydrogen as a filler gas. An instrumental width of 1.2 ns FWHM can be routinely obtained in nitrogen even at a repetition rate of 100 kHz. Intensities of ≳109 photons per pulse in nitrogen and ≳108 in hydrogen can be obtained at the minimum pulse duration. The maximum intensity per pulse without added capacitance is ≳1010 photons. This performance is considerably better than that reported for conventional flashlamps.