High voltage nanosecond pulse generator based on diode opening switch and magnetic switch

Area of Science:

• Electrical Engineering
• Plasma Physics
• Materials Science

Background:

• Low-temperature plasma technology requires large volume, diffuse, and stable plasma for industrial applications.
• Optimized plasma performance is linked to generators with high voltage, high repetition rate, fast rise time, and short pulse duration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose and develop a novel generator topology for high-performance low-temperature plasma generation.
• To investigate the output characteristics of the developed prototype by varying key parameters.

Main Methods:

• A novel generator topology utilizing magnetic switches and diode opening switches was designed.
• A prototype was constructed and its performance evaluated under varying load resistance and power supply voltage.
• The generator's ability to drive uniform plasma in ambient air was tested.

Main Results:

• The prototype generated pulses with 30.6 kV voltage, 7.1 ns rise time, and 8.2 ns pulse duration.
• A maximum repetition rate of 12 kHz was achieved with a 300 Ω resistive load.
• The generator successfully produced uniform plasma in ambient air.

Conclusions:

• The proposed topology, incorporating diodes for independent magnetic cores, simplifies design calculations.
• This development facilitates the creation of nanosecond solid-state generators for advanced plasma applications.
• The technology shows promise for enhancing industrial low-temperature plasma processes.