Abstract

This paper describes the performance of several hybrid optical firing set (HOFS) systems which Use Spectra Diode Laboratories (SDL) High-power laser diodes (LDs) as the sources. HOFS 3 and 4 of the first generation systems required 1.7 and 0.62 s to store 100 mJ in a 0.05-μF capacitor at an efficiency E of 2.1 and 2.0%, respectively. HOFS 3 used two 100-mW LDs operating at optical power (OP) = 400 mW (E = 21 and 32%), two 0.23-pitch Selfoc GRIN lenses optical couplers (OC) (transmission T= 97%), and two Applied Solar Energy Corp. PVA 1-V GaAs monolithic cells (E = 49%) connected in series to a Gamma High Voltage MC-10N-MOD to dc converter. HOFS 4 used a 500-mW LD operating at OP = 2 W (E = 23 %), 600-μm Enslgn-Bickford fiber optics (FO) OC (T= 80%), 2-V cell (E = 31%), and MC-10N-MOD dc to dc converter. HOFS 12 and 15 of the second generation systems required 0.35 and 0.80 s to store 100 and 200 mJ of energy in a 0.05- and 0.11-μF capacitor at E = 3.1 and 5.5%, respectively. HOFS 12 and 15 used a 4-W LD operating at OP = 3.4 and 1.8 W (E = 40 and 37%), 200-μm FO (T = 87 and 89%), 2-V hybrid cells (E = 32 and 45%), and model MC25/M143 dc to dc converter. If each component in HOFS 12 and 15 is optimized, the system efficiencies would increase to 19.1% and the capacitor charge times would decrease to 0.056 s.

© 1988 Optical Society of America