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A compact, low cost Marx bank for generating capillary discharge plasmas
A E Dyson1, C Thornton1, S M Hooker1
1Department of Physics and John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, University of Oxford, Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford OX1 3RH, United Kingdom.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|October 27, 2016
Summary
A new Compact Marx Bank (CMB) circuit delivers high-voltage pulses for laser plasma accelerators. This low-power, compact device enables efficient capillary discharge plasma generation.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Plasma Science
- Pulsed Power Systems
Background:
- Capillary discharge plasmas are crucial for laser plasma accelerators.
- Generating these plasmas requires high-voltage, short-duration pulses.
- Existing pulsed power systems can be bulky and power-intensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel Compact Marx Bank (CMB) circuit.
- To demonstrate its capability for generating specific plasma parameters.
- To highlight its advantages in terms of power, size, and scalability.
Main Methods:
- Detailed description of the Compact Marx Bank (CMB) circuit design.
- Utilizing a high-speed solid-state switch for triggering.
- Testing the CMB with a 50 Ω load and capillary discharge.
Main Results:
- The CMB provides 20 kV, 500 A pulses (100-200 ns duration).
- Achieved ns-scale rise time with <4 ns voltage jitter.
- Demonstrated scalability to >45 kV pulses in air discharges.
- Operates at low power (<1 J per discharge) and >1 Hz repetition rate.
Conclusions:
- The CMB is a compact, low-power solution for pulsed power applications.
- Its design facilitates integration into target chambers for plasma generation.
- The CMB offers a scalable and efficient alternative for laser plasma accelerator drivers.
