Inductive Modulator Switch

70151 The Next Generation Linear Collider (NLC) will require over 800 pulse modulators to drive its radio frequency klystrons. Increased modulator efficiency will be critical to cost effective operation because each percentage of increased efficiency is worth millions of dollars in electricity cost savings over the NLC's operating lifetime. Current efforts to develop a reliable and cost effective design are based on commercially available switching elements. However, these devices are primarily designed for electric motor drives and are not optimized for pulsed power applications; therefore, they cannot yield the desired efficiency and life cycle cost benefits. This project will develop very fast insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) configurations specifically suited for pulsed power applications. The IGBTs will be built by repackaging commercially available semiconductor dies for minimal inductance. Phase I will design, prototype, and assess individual IGBT package configurations, and predict their performance when utilized for a full NLC modulator. The decreased manufacturing cost associated with each configuration will be determined, and the Life Cycle Cost impact on the overall NLC program will be estimated. Lastly, the applicability and cost effectiveness of each configuration for other pulsed power applications, including their use for a line of high voltage pulse modulators, will be evaluated. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: IGBT packages optimized for pulsed power applications should significantly improve the performance and cost effectiveness of a variety of commercial pulsed power systems utilized in radars, semiconductor manufacturing, cancer treatment, inspection systems, and sterilization of food and mail.