Marx generator

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

160 J, 100 HZ repetition rate, compact Marx generator and high power microwave system

Abstract: This paper presents the electrical and mechanical hardware considerations of a compact, 160 J modular pulse forming network (PFN) Marx generator used to drive a high-power microwave (HPM) source that is a time variant load at a PRF of 100 Hz The modular Marx generator is designed to produce an open-circuit output voltage of 600 kV from a 50 kV source using twelve stages Each stage of the Marx was constructed from a PFN fashioned from five, 21 nF, high voltage capacitors in parallel Each Marx module was machined out of acetyl copolymer or Delrin© to provide optimal strength, rigidity, and a dielectric constant that closely matches transformer oil These Marx modules include air supply lines that are machined directly into each block of Delrin© allowing airlines to connect to each module chamber rather than every spark gap Each module has two electrode inserts placed into the sealed pressure vessel contained within the module After the Marx erects, the energy is directed into the virtual cathode oscillator (vircator) where subsequent frequency generation is manipulated through a rectangular waveguide contained within a new resonator cavity design The new design allows the bottom wall, back wall, and anode cathode gap to be moved by two linear actuators, a linear bellows, and another linear actuator, respectively The cavity is contained within a 10-inch circular vacuum chamber with a round stainless steel sleeve running from the back wall to the linear bellows Contained within the round sleeve is a rectangular waveguide where the bottom wall and the cathode are housed The anode is connected to the Marx generator via a nickel shaft that feeds through the back wall into the circular sleeve and into the rectangular waveguide The anode made from pyrolytic graphite, remains stationary while the bottom wall, and carbon fiber velvet cathode move relative to its position The benefit of this design is the height and depth of the cavity resonator can be controlled independently of each other while still allowing the A-K gap to be manipulated on its own

Progress in Z‐pinch research driven by the mega‐ampere device SPEED2

Abstract: Several pinch configurations have being studied at the Chilean Nuclear Energy Commission using the SPEED2 generator: plasma focus, gas embedded z‐pinch and wire arrays. SPEED2 is a generator based on Marx technology (4.1 μF equivalent Marx generator capacity, 300 kV, 4 MA in short circuit, 187 kJ, 400 ns rise time, dI/dt∼1013 A/s). Currently the device is being operated at 70kJ stored energy producing a peak current of 2.4 MA in short circuit. In this work results related to studies in gas embedded z‐pinch in deuterium and studies in wire arrays are presented.

Applications of Semiconductor Switches in Pulsed Power Technology

Abstract: Pulsed power technology has an important trend in the world,which has high power,long pulse,high operating frequency and miniaturization.Thus all-solid-state pulsed power technologies based on semiconductor devices have drawn more attention and widely used.This article introduces several kinds of semiconductor switches,such as SCR,IGBT,and SOS.The charging system based on SCR,the Marx generator,and pulsed transformer topology using IGBTs,and the system using SOS are described in detail.Some experimental results are also given.The use of semiconductor switches technology in solid state Marx generate can solve the disappointments such as short life time, low operating frequency,low reliability of conventional pulsed power equipments and has extensive perspective.

Breakdown Initiation Fields for Surface Flashover of Dielectric Materials Immersed in Transformer Oil

Abstract: The applied electrical fields required to initiate surface flashover of different types of polymeric insulating material immersed in transformer oil have been investigated. Cylindrical samples of polypropylene, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and Rexolite were tested. Average electrical fields up to ~700 kV/cm were applied to samples via a 10-stage, inverting Marx generator. The samples were held between two electrodes immersed in 20 litres of EOS Ltd. (UK) L10B transformer oil. The stage capacitance of the Marx is 80 nF, and the rise time is around 100 ns with the test cell load. The applied electrical field required to initiate surface flashover was found by firing the system with an increasing charging voltage until a breakdown occurred. Experiments were performed with plane-plane electrodes and two types of point-plane electrode gap. The first point-plane gap was achieved by deploying a high-voltage electrode with a 1-mm-diameter pin protruding perpendicular to the surface, and the second by a high-voltage electrode with a 25-mm-diameter collar centred on the surface. Of the materials tested, polypropylene showed the highest average peak applied fields to initiate the first surface flashover, varying from 325 kV/cm in non-uniform fields to 637 kV/cm in uniform fields.

A PFN high voltage Marx generator

Abstract: This paper describes the construction and performance of a five stage, pulse forming network (PFN) Marx generator which has been constructed with commercially available HV coaxial cable. The coaxial cable has been used to replace the discrete HV inductors and capacitors which normally make up each stage. This approach to PFN Marx generators results in a system which is relatively straightforward to assemble, compact and inexpensive. The PFN Marx generator is suitable for moderate to low energy applications, such as general HV testing of capacitive loads and high speed triggering and it can be employed as an X-ray generator or microwave generator power supply. Although the stored energy in the generator can be quite modest, the device can be operated at high pulse repetition frequencies if required.