High Repetition Rate Pulsed Power Generators

A high-voltage, high-current, and high pulse repetition rate (PRR) pulsed power generator is desirable for use as an ultra-wideband (UWB) source. Advances have been made with solid-state switches and pulse generation techniques allowing PRRs of tens of kHz. However, an all solid-state solution may not be a viable option for generating voltage pulses of over ~30 kV due to the large currents that the switches commonly available would be required to carry. A Marx generator using gas switches would be the most efficient way to generate voltage pulses of over 100kV. Typically, Marx generators are capable of operation at PRRs of only a few hundred Hz. This limitation is due to the methods used to charge the Marx bank capacitors and the recovery time of the spark gap switches. Recent research has shown that corona-stabilized gas switches can operate very reliably, with good repeatability, well into the kHz regime. Additionally, these switches have exhibited lifetimes in excess of 10^8 shots. This proposal outlines an effort to build a prototype high PRR Marx generator that is suitable for use as an UWB source. The prototype will incorporate a compact modular design, utilize optically-coupled and corona-stabilized gas switches, and use fast capacitor charging methods to achieve low jitter, good repeatability, and a high PRR.