Phase-Controlled Converter for Nd:YAG Laser Flashlamp Driver

Abstract

Phase-controlled technique through thyristors (SCR) is used instead of diodes in order to form a power converter. Output voltage of this power converter can be varied by controlling the firing angle of SCR and is used to charge the capacitor banks. Each firing angles are referred to zero-crossing point of each half of the 50 Hz AC voltage. Adjustable voltage is then used to charge the capacitor bank inside Capacitor Charging Power Supply (CCPS) for Xenon flashlamp driver. Flashlamp produced source of pulsed light that pumped the Nd:YAG laser crystal. The Nd:YAG laser usually operates at various input energies, thus requiring variable values of voltage to charge the capacitor bank. Developed phase-controlled converter can steadily controll the output voltage of CCPS from 500 V to 1000 V.