A compact nanosecond pulse generator for x-ray radiographies.

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Electrical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• High-energy flash X-ray generation is crucial for various scientific and industrial applications.
• Existing generators often face limitations in lifetime and compactness.
• The development of compact, long-lifetime X-ray sources remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a compact nanosecond pulse generator for producing high-energy flash X-rays.
• To achieve a long operational lifetime for the X-ray tube by managing pulse energy.
• To design and characterize a novel air-core Tesla transformer for pulse generation.

Main Methods:

• Design and simulation of a 0.67-ns pulse forming line (PFL) charged by an air-core Tesla transformer.
• Utilizing a fast spark gap for switching the PFL.
• Characterization of the Tesla transformer's inductance and stray capacitance through 2D magnetostatic and electrostatic simulations.
• Powering the transformer with a capacitor bank discharged via a hydrogen thyratron.

Main Results:

• Achieved an effective coupling coefficient (k_eff) of 0.55 for the Tesla transformer.
• The PFL reached a peak voltage of 680 kV.
• Generated a nanosecond pulse with 510 kV peak voltage, 2.6 GW peak power, and 2.1 ns width.
• The compact generator (285 mm diameter, 800 mm length, 35 kg) is suitable for mobile X-ray radiography.

Conclusions:

• The developed compact nanosecond pulse generator successfully produces high-energy flash X-rays.
• The design facilitates a long lifetime for the integrated vacuum X-ray tube due to controlled pulse energy.
• The generator offers a versatile and compact solution for X-ray radiography in research and industry.