Power supply with bipolar pulsed output voltage and high repetition rate based on a solid state Marx topology

Abstract

A novel approach for a power supply, which generates bipolar pulsed output voltages with high repetition rates, is proposed. It is based on a solid-state Marx topology. The power supply is suitable for high-voltage repetitive pulsed power applications such as generation of Dielectric Barrier Discharges. The main advantage of this new developed Marx topology is the small number of semiconductor devices per Marx stage, compared to other common approaches. The use of semiconductors instead of spark gaps results in an enormous increased lifetime and a repetition rate of the output voltage up to several kHz and the prevention of jitter. The proposed power supply can generate bipolar and unipolar output voltages with adjustable frequency and duty cycle. Experimental results of a prototype with 25 Marx stages and a bipolar output voltage of 10 kV are presented.