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A Tesla-pulse forming line-plasma opening switch pulsed power generator
journal contribution
posted on 2010-11-18, 15:09 authored by Bucur NovacBucur Novac, Rajesh Kumar, Ivor SmithA pulsed power generator based on a high-voltage Tesla transformer which charges a 3.85 /55 ns
water-filled pulse forming line to 300 kV has been developed at Loughborough University as a
training tool for pulsed power students. The generator uses all forms of insulation specific to pulsed
power technology, liquid oil and water , gas SF6 , and magnetic insulation in vacuum, and a
number of fast voltage and current sensors are implemented for diagnostic purposes. A miniature
centimeter-size plasma opening switch has recently been coupled to the output of the pulse
forming line, with the overall system comprising the first phase of a program aimed at the
development of a novel repetitive, table-top generator capable of producing 15 GW pulses for high
power microwave loads. Technical details of all the generator components and the main
experimental results obtained during the program and demonstrations of their performance are
presented in the paper, together with a description of the various diagnostic tools involved. In
particular, it is shown that the miniature plasma opening switch is capable of reducing the rise time
of the input current while significantly increasing the load power. Future plans are outlined in the
conclusions.
History
School
- Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering
Citation
NOVAC, B.M., KUMAR, R. and SMITH I.R., 2010. A Tesla-pulse forming line-plasma opening switch pulsed power generator. Review of Scientific Instruments, 81 (104704) 10pp.Publisher
© American Institute of PhysicsVersion
- VoR (Version of Record)
Publication date
2010Notes
This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Institute of Physics.ISSN
0034-6748;1089-7623Publisher version
Language
- en