The pulse capacitors of laser pumping system will generate residual voltage after working for a period of time

and the residual voltage of pulse capacitor will increase to harm the laser equipment. In this study

charging and discharging tests were conducted to investigate the factors influencing the residual voltage of pulse capacitors

and to understand the generating and elevating mechanisms of the residual voltage. The results show that the residual voltage is related to charging voltage and loss of capacitor

and the greater the loss of capacitor

the higher the residual voltage. When the loss is in a certain range

the residual voltage presents a linearly decreasing trend with the rise of the charging voltage of capacitor

and the greater the loss

the slower the decreasing rate. When the loss is beyond this range

the residual voltage no longer shows linearly decreasing trend

but shows a certain fluctuation. During the charging and discharging process

the residual voltage varies acceleratively

and the increase in the residual voltage is due to the corrosion of the metal layer on the capacitor end. This study may facilitate correct application of pulsed laser equipment and further improvement of manufacturing processes of pulse capacitor to inhibit excessive increase in residual voltage and to extend service lifetime.