Marx generator

About: Marx generator is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1276 publications have been published within this topic receiving 8970 citations.

Cold cathode investigation

Abstract: Experiments for the evaluation of a cold cathode electron gun are described. Different anode and cathode materials and configurations were tried. Small signal gains of 6.3 percent/cm were measured. It was found that the same small signal gains could be obtained with less energy deposition in the laser gas with the larger pre-ionizing currents from a cold cathode. Long-duration pulses were observed that were limited only by the electrical energy available in the Marx bank. (auth)

Application of a Plasma Anode in the Electron Beam Source with an Explosive Emission Cathode and Electron Beam Output into the Atmosphere

Abstract: The results of experiments on the generation of high-power microsecond electron beams in an electron beam source with an explosive-emission cathode, a plasma anode, and output of an electron beam through a foil window into the atmosphere are presented. The beam is formed and transported in the presence of a longitudinal magnetic field. The power source is a Marx generator with matched loads and with a rectangular waveform of the output voltage pulse. At an accelerating voltage of 200–220 kV, in an electron beam source, the electron beams with a current of up to 2.5–3 kA, a cross section of 100–200 cm 2 , and a duration of 5 µs are obtained without ignition of the arc discharge in the interelectrode gap. The possibility to realize operation modes of an electron beam source without beam rotation is demonstrated. The energy released on the beam collector with a receiving surface area of 74 cm 2 , located in the electron source behind the anode, is up to ~ 600–700 J/pulse. The beam energy extracted outside of the foil is registered with calorimeters and equals to ~ 250–270 J/pulse.

Experimental Studies of an Axial Vircator with Different Cathode Geometries

Abstract: Summary form only given. This paper describes the numerical study and experimental results of an axial vircator with axial extraction. The microwave source is driven by a Marx generator and excludes any type of pulse forming device between the two subsystems. The main reason for this special arrangement is the final goal to build a compact and robust high power microwave system. The drawback is usually a lower efficiency of the microwave source. The vircator operates with the applied voltages between 200 and 400 kV and the impedance is around 50 Ohms during the process when microwave radiation is generated. The microwave pulse duration is for most cases between 50 to 100 ns. For the experiments described in this paper focus has been on different cathode geometries. Results that are given include microwave power, spectral content and mode characteristics. In an attempt to better understand and explain the experimental results particle-in-cell simulations have been carried out in MAGIC. These numerical results support to some extent the experimental results.

Circuit-PIC coupled model of 3D simulation for magnetically insulated transmission line system

Abstract: In this work, a circuit-PIC coupled model for 3D simulation is developed, which can be used in pulsed power system with magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs). The circuit-PIC coupled algorithm consists of an external circuit algorithm and an algorithm which counts the jounced interface of the circuit and the grids for PIC simulation. The circuit-PIC coupled model has been demonstrated and implemented in a 3-D conformal finite-difference time-domain PIC code, UNIPIC. In this paper, the coupled model of 3D simulation is applied in a coaxial MITL system with a helical supporter, and this MITL is driven by Marx Generator. This work provides an approach to simulating MITL system which is azimuthal asymmetry in the power flow or structure.

Reversible, high-voltage square-wave pulse generator for triggering spark gaps

Abstract: A design is presented for a reversible, square-pulse generator that employs coaxial cables for charge storage and pulse formation and a thyratron as the switch. The generator has a nominal output voltage of 5-30 kV and a pulse duration determined by the cable's physical length. Two variations are presented: (1) a single-stage one consisting of cable that is charged via its shield on one end and discharged with a thyratron on the opposite end and (2) a two-stage one having an inverting circuit that uses a coaxial cable to reverse the polarity of the pulse. The generator operates with "flying shields," i.e., high-voltage pulses also propagate on the outside of the cables; this calls for a dedicated insulation that avoids breakdown between sections of the cable's shield. The rise time obtained is mostly dictated by the switching time of the thyratron; with the one we used in the tests, rise times in the range of 30-40 ns were obtained. We present the results obtained in the implementation of the generators as well as its application to fire a large Marx generator.