An Advanced Accelerator Solid State Marx type Pulsed Modulator

78312S Advanced accelerators, which utilize superconductive radio frequency cavities such as the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) and the International Linear Collider (ILC), require a 120 kilovolt high pulse power (10-20 megawatts), long pulse (1-2 millisecond) klystron modulator, that is economical, efficent, high avalablity, and safe. Existing long pulse modulators utilize either a large pulse transformer, which is inefficient and expensive, or a high frequency switching supply driving a high voltage transformer, which must withstand high frequency high voltage swings during pulsing. In addition, these existing systems present an environmental hazard, due to the large amount of oil used as an insulator, and a personnel safety hazard, due the the use of a single, very large capacitor bank that can cause an explosion. This project will design and construct a new, all-solid-state modulator that utilizes a Marx generator configuration, requires no oil, and has capacitors that are separated into smaller units. The all solid-state approach would be smaller, more efficient, and much less expensive then the present modulators designs. The Phase I will design, build, and test a bench model of the solid-state modulator that will produce 120 kilovolts for 1.5 milliseconds at 5 pulses per second. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to its application for high energy physics research, the modulator should find use in homeland security cargo inspection devices, military and civilian radar, and medical accelerators.