Fast Discharge Energy Storage Development for Improving X-ray Simulators

Abstract

Over the last two years there have been design studies to investigate the impact of improvements in fast energy storage systems on the design of simulator upgrades (Double‐EAGLE and Decade Quad) and on larger future simulators (40‐MA to 60‐MA PRS machine). The fast energy storage systems investigated in these design studies included Fast Marx Generators (FMG with LC = 200 ns and LC = 300 ns) and Linear Transformer Drivers (LTD). A design sketch of a compact 20‐MA PRS driver and a potential upgrade of Double‐EAGLE using FMG technology will be presented. The first concept that will be discussed is a 16‐MA driver for PRS (plasma radiation source) loads. This generator would consist of 48 eight‐stage FMG units and 13 m diameter and would drive the PRS directly without further pulse compression. The second concept that will be presented is a potential upgrade of an operational simulator, Double‐EAGLE. This concept would utilize the FMG to replace the existing slower Marx generator, transfer capacitor and triggered gas switch. The basic building blocks for these future FMG driven machines are a low‐ inductance Marx switch and a low‐inductance capacitor designed to be integrated with the new switch. These components are configured in a low‐inductance FMG stage and then stacked in series to form a unit for the voltage required and a number of units in parallel for the required system inductance and stored energy. A review of the FMG component requirements and the status of the FMG component testing in a single‐stage FMG configuration will also be presented. A four‐stage FMG unit is being built and tested to demonstrate the required stage voltage and inductance. Results of these initial tests will be presented.