Abstract
This paper presents the design and testing of several different configurations of spiral generator, designed to trigger high current switches in the next generation of pulsed power devices. In particular, it details the development of spiral generators that utilize new ultrafast thyristor technology as an input switch, along with a polarity dependent output gap to improve the efficiency of the spiral generator design. The generator produced 50 kV from a 3.6 kV charging voltage, with a rise time of only 50 ns and a jitter of 1.3 ns---directly comparable, if not better than, a generator employing a triggered spark gap as the input switch. The output gap was constructed in house from commonly available components and a 3D printed case, and showed remarkable repeatability and stability---simple alterations to the output gap could further reduce the rise time. The entire spiral generator, along with control and charging electronics, fitted into a case only $210\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}145\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}33\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{mm}$.
Highlights
The most common way to trigger the high current, high voltage spark gaps utilized in mega-ampere pulsed power facilities is through distortion of the electric field at the gap’s electrodes
It details the development of spiral generators that utilize new ultrafast thyristor technology as an input switch, along with a polarity dependent output gap to improve the efficiency of the spiral generator design
Often trigger generators consist of miniature Marx banks, with a small spark gap as a first stage, itself initiated by a kV silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) or MOSFET coupled to an air cored transformer to increase its output
Summary
The most common way to trigger the high current, high voltage spark gaps utilized in mega-ampere pulsed power facilities is through distortion of the electric field at the gap’s electrodes. To keep jitter to a minimum, this typically requires a “trigger” voltage pulse tens–hundreds of kV in magnitude with a fast rise time, a few ns to tens of ns applied to/near the electrodes. Producing such pulses, can be complicated and costly. Often trigger generators consist of miniature Marx banks, with a small spark gap as a first stage, itself initiated by a kV silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) or MOSFET coupled to an air cored transformer to increase its output. A relatively simple to build, cost effective, yet reliable trigger generator would rapidly find multiple uses
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