Pulsed power from a German perspective

Abstract

Pulsed power technology in Germany has a long history but a relatively short tradition. In 1923, the MARX generator, one of the most widespread pulsed power devices, was invented in Germany for use as a high voltage testing device. Until the early 1980s, only a few examples of pulsed power were present in the Federal Republic of Germany (such as the lithotripter), whereas in the former German Democratic Republic, pulsed power technology was investigated and used for several industrial applications. From the mid 1980s, pulsed power technology was active in the areas of fundamental research and research for ordnance applications with the aim to follow similar developments and areas of application such as in the USA. Also, some commercial applications developed in the USA were investigated to assess their industrial potential. During the early 1990s commercial pulsed power applications were introduced from the former German Democratic Republic; commercial and ordnance applications were introduced directly or via USA from the former Soviet Union. Since this time a significant number of industrial pulsed power applications have been investigated and developed, especially in the areas of material treatment and of treatment of biological substances. Efforts to commercialise pulsed power applications have shown that they are mostly suited for productive niche applications where mechanical or chemical technologies are not viable. The introduction of pulsed power products to the commercial market is promoted by the level of automation and whether they can be driven at high repetition rates. (11 pages)