Compact, repetitive, pulsed power generators based on transmission line transformers

This paper describes the design and construction of a compact, repetitive pulsed power generator which is based on the use of a transmission line transformer built from a stack of low impedance striplines. The transformer is driven from a Blumlein pulse forming line, which is constructed from an array of barium titanate dielectric tiles and switched by four thyratrons connected in 'hard' parallel. The generator described has been built as part of a development programme in which new design concepts for the construction of compact, light-weight pulsed power generators are being explored.The maximum output potential of the generator is 150 kV at an output impedance of 100 /spl Omega/, the output pulse duration is 200 ns, and the system is capable of being operated at a repetition rate of at least 10 Hz.The results of an appraisal of the performance and scalability of the generator are described.