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Comparison of trigger requirements for gas switches for linear transformer drivers

Proceedings of the 2014 IEEE International Power Modulator and High Voltage Conference, IPMHVC 2014

Leckbee, J.J.; Pena, Gary P.; Kiefer, Mark L.; Alexander, Jeff A.; Stoltzfus, Brian S.; Brown, J.L.; Wigelsworth, H.; White, F.E.; Bui, B.

Linear Transformer Driver (LTD) technology is being developed for short pulse electron beam applications as well as high current Z-pinch drivers. Designs for both applications require low inductance spark gap switches which hold off 200 kV and trigger with low jitter. LTD cells or cavities typically contain many parallel switches which must close with low jitter to insure efficient operation of the system. The switch jitter must be much less than the risetime of the output pulse to prevent switches from firing after the peak in output power. Experiments with a 10-brick Ursa Minor cavity indicate that the switch jitter must be less than 2 ns to limit the late switch rate to less than 2%. Three swith designs have been tested in a single switch platform to evaluate switch jitter as a function of the peak trigger voltage, trigger pulse risetime, and switch pressure. Operating parameters were determined for each switch to meet the 2 ns jitter requirement.

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TYPE Conference YEAR 2015
ScopusOSTIDOI

Plastic Laminate Pulsed Power Development

Alexander, Jeff A.; Shope, Steven L.; Pate, Ronald C.; Rinehart, Larry F.; Jojola, John M.; Ruebush, Mitchell H.

The desire to move high-energy Pulsed Power systems from the laboratory to practical field systems requires the development of compact lightweight drivers. This paper concerns an effort to develop such a system based on a plastic laminate strip Blumlein as the final pulseshaping stage for a 600 kV, 50ns, 5-ohm driver. A lifetime and breakdown study conducted with small-area samples identified Kapton sheet impregnated with Propylene Carbonate as the best material combination of those evaluated. The program has successfully demonstrated techniques for folding large area systems into compact geometry's and vacuum impregnating the laminate in the folded systems. The major operational challenges encountered revolve around edge grading and low inductance, low impedance switching. The design iterations and lessons learned are discussed. A multistage prototype testing program has demonstrated 600kV operation on a short 6ns line. Full-scale prototypes are currently undergoing development and testing.

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TYPE Conference YEAR 2000
OSTI
11 Results
11 Results