Analysis of the Resonant Transformer Accelerator in the Gated and Ungated Beam Mode

Abstract

Figure 1 shows the basic electrical configuration for this version of the resonant transformer accelerator. It finds greatest use in industrial applications since it is readily adaptable to high repetition rate (average power) operation. The system consists of two transformer coupled series resonsant circuits. Energy stored in the primary capacitor (Cl) is switched out through a conventional hydrogen thyratron and transiently transferred to the secondary capacitor (C2). The transformer provides voltage gain. Near the peak of the secondary capacitor voltage cycle, the energy is used to drive a pulsed electron beam load -I(t). The beam is formed by gating a gridded thermionic cathode, and then accelerated down a graded acceleration tube. Any energy remaining in the circuit after the beam is turned off is returned to the primary capacitor through a diode string, in this way improving overall system efficienc:r. The system operating frequency must allow sufficient time to return the thyratron to its full hold-off voltage during the recharging of the primary capacitor.