Publications

Impact of time-varying loads on the programmable pulsed power driver called genesis

Glover, Steven F.; Davis, Jean-Paul D.; Schneider, Larry X.; Reed, Kim W.; Pena, Gary P.; Hall, Clint A.; Hanshaw, Heath L.; Hickman, Randy J.; Hodge, K.C.; Lemke, Raymond W.; Lehr, J.M.; Lucero, D.J.; McDaniel, Dillon H.; Puissant, J.G.; Rudys, Joseph M.; Sceiford, Matthew S.; Tullar, S.J.; Van De Valde, D.M.; White, F.E.; Warne, Larry K.; Coats, Rebecca S.; Johnson, William Arthur.

The success of dynamic materials properties research at Sandia National Laboratories has led to research into ultra-low impedance, compact pulsed power systems capable of multi-MA shaped current pulses with rise times ranging from 220-500 ns. The Genesis design consists of two hundred and forty 200 kV, 80 kA modules connected in parallel to a solid dielectric disk transmission line and is capable of producing 280 kbar of magnetic pressure (>500 kbar pressure in high Z materials) in a 1.75 nH, 20 mm wide stripline load. Stripline loads operating under these conditions expand during the experiment resulting in a time-varying load that can impact the performance and lifetime of the system. This paper provides analysis of time-varying stripline loads and the impact of these loads on system performance. Further, an approach to reduce dielectric stress levels through active damping is presented as a means to increase system reliability and lifetime. © 2011 IEEE.