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Laser-activated switch.


One of the latest developments out of Los Alamos Los Alamos (lôs ăl`əmōs', lŏs), uninc. town (1990 pop. 11,455), seat of Los Alamos co., N central N.Mex. It is on a long mesa extending from the Jemez Mts. The U.S. government chose the site in 1942 for atomic research, and the first atomic bombs were produced there. (N.M.) National Laboratory is the super-fast, high-power electrical switch. A pulse of laser light activates the device, turning electricity on in less than a billionth of a second.

The principle behind the photoconductive switch is similar, at a much more powerful level, to that of the familiar "electric eye" that operates mechanical doors. William Nunnally (above), the switch's developer, says the new switch is at least 10 times faster and more precise than any existing high-power switch. It is also safer than conventional switches since the operator is not in direct contact with the high voltage.

Los Alamos plans to use the switch for particle accelerators, laser applications and "Star Wars" research.
COPYRIGHT 1985 Science Service, Inc.
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 1985, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

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Publication:Science News
Date:Jan 26, 1985
Words:122
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