A Marx generator based on thyristors triggered in a shock ionization wave mode

Abstract

Recently, a new trigger mode of thyristor which is called shock ionization wave mode is researched. Compared with the conventional trigger mode, this trigger mode can turn on the thyristor rather fast. In this mode, a trigger voltage with a high amplitude and fast rising speed is applied at both ends of the thyristor. Many single-tube conduction experiments are reported while the conduction threshold of shock ionization wave mode has not been investigated. Besides, the application of this trigger mode in some pulse power topology remains blank which is useful for this mode. In this paper, to explore the impact ionization wave mode conduction threshold of commercial thyristor, fast front high voltage nanosecond pulses are generated by avalanche tube Marx circuit. Pulse signals of different amplitudes are realized through the voltage division resistor. The impact ionization wave mode trigger threshold for commercial thyristors is about 2500 V in amplitude and 250 V/ns in voltage rising speed and the higher the rated parameter of the thyristor, the higher the threshold. To broaden the application of this mode, a novel Marx generator based on thyristors is proposed. A four-stage Marx generator is constructed and the amplitude of the output voltage can reach 1869 V.