Device can operate in close-open-close mode. Beam splitter placed behind static-slit assembly allows use of more than one camera. Each frame in particular series may be conveniently varied in exposure time and spacing. This can be done independent of other frames in the series. In ''open'' position, shutter transmits light over wide wavelength range

Miller, M. H.

Wood, S. M., Jr.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

October 1973	 B73-10368 
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Headquarters 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
A High-Speed Spectograph Shutter 
The problem: 
In some investigations requiring photographic re-
cording (high-intensity plasma studies for instance), it 
is often impossible to predict exactly when the event to 
be photographed will occur. In practice, advance indica-
tion of an event which requires an exposure time of 10 
to 200 J.Ls may occur from 100 to 200 jis before the 
event. Present methods of photographing such events 
are unreliable, or cause distortion and loss of resolution. 
How it's done: 
The experiment is designed so as to cause the event 
of interest to trigger a thyraton pulse generator in the 
shutter system. The thyraton pulse activates a spark-gap 
switch between three charged capacitors and the ex-
ploding wire. As the current pulse explodes the wire, the 
gases formed drive an adjacent disk in the manner of a 
piston. Attached to the disk is an aluminum slider with 
one or more exposure slits. The slider is stopped when 
the disk strikes a sturdy aluminum block. The accompa-
nying figures depict a cutaway view of the shutter 
(Figure 1) and a diagram of the electric circuit (Figure 2). 
Some advantages of this shutter over those already in 
existence are: 
1. It can operate in a close-open-close mode or can 
frame several events of 8- to 150-ps duration.. 
2. A beam splitter placed behind the static-slit assembly 
(Figure. 1: 1.) allows the use of more than one 
camera. 
3. Each frame in a particular series may be conveniently 
varied in exposure time and spacing. This can be done 
independent of other frames in the series.
4. Delay between the initiating signal and the first 
exposure does not exceed 100 ps. 
5. In the "open" position, the shutter transmits light 
over a wide wavelength range, as opposed to most 
electrotropic shutter devices. 
Static 
Slit 
1. Shutter slider, 
2. Static-slit Assembly, 
3. Breech, 
4. Electrodes for Securing Wire, 
5. High-voltage connections, and 
6. Stop for Shutter Slider and Mounting Bracket. 
Figure 1. Cutaway View of Shutter Ready for Firing. 
.
The solution: 
• A high-speed, event-triggered shutter uses exploding 
wires as the driving force. It provides exposure times of 
8 to 150 ps without distortion or loss of resolution.
Aluminum 
Teflon 
Exploding Wire 
Pnenolic-
Impregnated 
Linen 
Shutter 
Slider 
(continued overleaf) 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National
	
Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States
	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States
	
will be free from privately owned rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19730000368 2020-03-17T07:05:40+00:00Z
Thyratron 
Trigger	 IuuIus._ 
Spark-Gap Switch
Signal From 
Experiment 
I	 Time-Delay 
Generator 
Coaxial 
Cable 
N
9.0-kV
Power Supply 
5M2 
Charging 
Resistor 
Power SupplyI	 -.	 I	
_.OPFJ.5 /IF J.5/IF
	
Exploding 
Copper Wire JTT 
Figure 2. Schematic Diagram of the Electrical Circuit. 
Note:	 Patent status: 
The following documentation may be obtained from:
	 NASA has decided not to apply for a patent. 
National Technical Information Service 
Springfield, Virginia 22151	 Source: Myron H. Miller and 
Single document price $3.00
	 Sidney M. Wood, Jr. 
(or microfiche $0.95)
	
	 The University of Maryland

Under a grant from 
Reference: NASA CR-72660 (N70-25512), A
	 NASA Headquarters 
High-Speed Spectrograph Shutter.
	 (HQN-10635) 
B73-10368	 Category 01
4


A high-speed spectrograph shutter

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server