Low jitter reliable nanosecond spark source for optical short-duration measurements

A simple nanosecond spark source (Nanospark) has been constructed from several small ceramic capacitors, one thyratron and one coaxial cable. During operation, a 500 pF capacitor in the spark head is pulsecharged in about 70 ns with automatic preionization from a high-voltage pulse generator switched by a thyratron. This charge is available for discharge when the gas breakdown starts. The preionization is useful to start the gas breakdown easily and to decrease the pulse to pulse jitter. This Nanospark produces 12–15 ns (FWHM) light pulses with a time jitter of less than 60 ns when operated at 8–11 kV and at air of atmospheric pressure. The initiation of the spark discharge is highly reliable. The spark has adequately exposed polaroid film (ASA 3000).