Shock Wave Simulation of Ferrite-Filled Coaxial Nonlinear Transmission Lines

Abstract

Ferrite-filled coaxial shock lines have recently been used to significantly decrease the rise time of a high voltage pulse. This decrease can be enhanced by initially axially biasing the ferrite material with an applied external magnetic field, allowing for a faster transition from the unsaturated to the saturated state. The simulation of the ferrite material's operation, including saturation, is discussed as well as the simulation of coaxial nonlinear transmission lines. The project explores the rise time changes with variations of magnetic bias, ferrite geometry, input signal characteristics, and transmission line characteristics. Simulated waveforms are discussed for a nickel-zinc ferrite-filled coaxial line. The pulse steepening effect observed in electromagnetic shock lines occurs primarily because of an increase in phase velocity for points higher on the waveform due to the saturation of the ferrite material. An incident pulse of high enough amplitude will drive the ferrite material into saturation, decreasing the relative permeability to one. This saturation front propagates through the ferrite material in the direction of the incident wave until the entire material is saturated, producing a sub-nanosecond rise time pulse. The shock line is designed for a saturated impedance of 50 Ohms to couple easily into existing systems. Pulsed operation of up to low kilohertz repetition is desired and being explored. Applications of electromagnetic shock lines include laser triggering and ultra-wideband radar generation, as well as others.