Design of flashlamp driving circuits

Abstract

The problem of design of single mesh circuits for driving xenon flashlamps has been considered in detail. The normalized nonlinear differential equation I'\pm \alpha |I|^{1/2} + \int\min{0}\max{\tau} I d\tilde{\tau} = 1 for this system has been solved by digital computer and the solutions are presented. Since the equation is linear in time, though nonlinear in current, it is possible to provide explicit design equations. With them, for a given lamp type, energy input, pulse duration, and pulse shape factor, the inductance, capacitance, and operating voltage are easily determined. A procedure for estimating circuit losses is also presented.