Compact high-current pulse generator for laboratory studies of high energy density matter

Abstract

We present the design and parameters of a compact and mobile high-current pulse generator which can be applied in the study of warm dense matter in university laboratories. The generator dimensions are 550 mm × 570 mm × 590 mm, weight ~70 kg and it consists of four "bricks" connected in parallel. Each brick, made up of 2×40 nF, 100 kV lowinductance capacitors connected in parallel, has its own multigap and multichannel ball gas spark switch, triggered via a capacitively coupled triggering by a positive polarity pulse of ~80 kV amplitude and ~15 ns rise time. At a charging voltage of ~70 kV, the generator produces a ~155 kA current pulse with a rise time of ~220 ns on a ~15 nH inductive short-circuit load and a ~90 kA amplitude current pulse with an underwater electrical explosion of a copper wire.