A novel compact low impedance Marx generator with quasi-rectangular pulse output

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Pulsed Power Systems

Background:

• Traditional Marx generators face limitations in pulse shaping and impedance matching.
• Achieving compact, high-voltage pulse generation with specific waveform characteristics is a persistent challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, low-impedance, compact Marx generator capable of producing a near-square high-voltage pulse.
• To analyze the design principles and performance of a Marx generator utilizing Fourier theory for pulse shaping.

Main Methods:

• The generator employs 16 modules, each integrating capacitors of different values (54 nF and 1.5 nF) to achieve varied discharge periods.
• Fourier theory is applied to shape the pulse output by combining discharge times from different capacitor types.
• Key components include gas switches, charging and grounding inductors, and specialized insulators.

Main Results:

• The developed Marx generator produces a high-voltage (550 kV) quasi-rectangular pulse with a pulse width of 120 ns.
• The output exhibits a fast rise time of 32 ns and a flat-topped width (95%-95%) of 50 ns.
• The system achieves a peak power of 20 GW with high energy and power density at a low impedance load.

Conclusions:

• The novel Marx generator design successfully generates a quasi-rectangular pulse with improved characteristics compared to traditional designs.
• The use of capacitors with different capacities is an effective method for pulse shaping in Marx generators.
• This development offers a promising solution for applications requiring compact, high-power, high-voltage pulse sources.