Design of compact Marx module with square pulse output.

Area of Science:

• Pulsed Power Systems
• Electrical Engineering
• High-Energy Physics

Background:

• Compact Marx generators are crucial for pulsed power systems, typically offering double-exponential pulse profiles.
• Existing systems often utilize high-performance components like high energy density capacitors and compact switches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and test a compact, low-impedance Marx module capable of generating rectangular pulse profiles.
• To overcome the limitations of traditional double-exponential pulse outputs in compact Marx generators.

Main Methods:

• Developed a Marx module with multiple parallel circuits operating at different discharge frequencies to achieve a quasi-rectangular pulse.
• Theoretically calculated the discharge characteristics of an ideal module with infinite branches.
• Designed and experimentally tested a two-branch module.

Main Results:

• The tested module exhibited an impedance of 1.2 Ω.
• Under a charging voltage of 100.6 kV and a 1 Ω load, the module produced a peak output pulse of 45.2 kV.
• Achieved peak power of approximately 2 GW, a pulse width of ~130 ns, and a rise time of ~35 ns.
• Demonstrated energy density of 15 kJ/m³ and power density of 140 GW/m³.

Conclusions:

• The developed compact Marx module successfully generates quasi-rectangular pulse profiles.
• This new design offers significant improvements in power and energy density for pulsed power applications.
• The module's performance validates the parallel multi-branch approach for achieving desired pulse shapes.