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Kilovolt Blumlein pulse generator with variable pulse duration and polarity
Andrea de Angelis1, Juergen F Kolb, Luigi Zeni
1Department of Information Engineering, Second University of Naples, Via Roma 29, I-81031 Aversa, Italy.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|May 2, 2008
Summary
Researchers designed a Blumlein pulse generator using two power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor switches. This setup allows for controlled generation of 1 kV pulses with adjustable durations, improving upon single-switch designs.
Area of Science:
- Electrical Engineering
- Pulsed Power Systems
Background:
- Traditional Blumlein pulse generators can suffer from pulse distortions.
- Optimizing pulse characteristics requires precise control over switching mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and test a novel Blumlein pulse generator.
- To achieve controllable high-voltage pulse generation with improved fidelity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a Blumlein configuration with two individually switched pulse-forming lines.
- Employed power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) as high-speed switches.
- Varied the temporal delay between switch triggering to control pulse duration and polarity.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated pulses with amplitudes of 1 kV across a 100 Ohm load.
- Demonstrated control over pulse durations ranging from 8 to 60 nanoseconds.
- Eliminated pulse distortions associated with single-switch designs by using matched MOSFET switches.
Conclusions:
- The dual-switch Blumlein generator offers precise control over pulse parameters.
- MOSFET switches enable rapid and reliable pulse generation.
- This design provides a robust method for generating high-fidelity, tunable high-voltage pulses.
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