Multiple Kerr-Cell System with Square Shuttering Characteristic

A cable-shaped Kerr-cell shutter has been constructed, using solely plug-in parts. A delay cable, with built-in pressure spark gap, forms a square pulse of 40 kv and 50 mμsec duration. This pulse passes without reflection through a flexible 15-ohm cable and one or several Kerr cells, interconnected by flexible cables, and then the pulse disappears in a terminal resistor. This device features a square shuttering characteristic and great mobility. Multiple cells permit simultaneous photography of a subject from several angles. Using delay cables the Kerr cells operate at preset intervals depicting successive stages of the event. — Owing to the very low capacity of the pulse-forming cable, recharging of the system is rapid; thus the picture-taking rate is limited only by the quality of the quenching spark gap. The pulse can also be guided through the cell along meander-shaped electrodes, making possible the construction of large-size cells. Delay units can also fire cell systems at any desired picture-taking rate. When synchronized with high-frequency spark light sources {such as the Strobokin ultra-rapid flasher) an appreciably shortened square exposure time is achieved. For the ultraviolet range a similar Kerr-cell system with phenyl isocyanate is available.

Print ISSN

0361-4573

Published

1962-01

Content type

Original Research

DOI

10.5594/J16911