Prototype of a high power compact Marx generator for microwave applications

A compact pulsed power system is described. This system has been built to drive low impedance HPM sources (vircator, MILO). It consists of two Marx generators in parallel. Each Marx contains 13 bipolar (/spl plusmn/ 50 kV) stages of capacitors and switches placed in a tank filled with dielectric oil. This system stores 10 kJ and is capable of delivering a current up to 50 kA at 800 kV to a matched load. The rise time of the current is less than 100 ns. The Marx generators and the vacuum interface have a diameter of 0.8 m and a total length of 2 m. The voltage is monitored inside the oil tank by using a resistive divider, and the current is measured under vacuum with a Bdot probe. In this paper we present experimental results with a resistive load as well as data obtained when the obtained Marx generator is coupled to HPM tubes.

[1]  M.G. Mazarakis,et al.  A compact, high-voltage e-beam pulser , 1999, Digest of Technical Papers. 12th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference. (Cat. No.99CH36358).

[2]  S.E. Calico,et al.  Development of a compact Marx generator for high-power microwave applications , 1997, Digest of Technical Papers. 11th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference (Cat. No.97CH36127).

[3]  S.E. Calico,et al.  Compact 400 kV Marx generator with common switch housing , 1997, Digest of Technical Papers. 11th IEEE International Pulsed Power Conference (Cat. No.97CH36127).

[4]  J. C. Martin,et al.  Fast Pulse Vacuum Flashover , 1996 .