Design of a multi-frequency resonant LC-Marx generator for high-fidelity quasi-square pulse generation

The growing applications of pulse power technology demand higher precision in pulse waveforms. The LC-Marx circuit, a promising topology, offers advantages, such as fast rise time and high energy density, but suffers from a fundamental limitation: an inherent oscillatory output that prevents the generation of stable flattop pulses. This study addresses this long-standing challenge by introducing a novel synergistic method that integrates multi-frequency resonant superposition with a precision active drive delay compensation strategy. While the principle of Fourier synthesis is well-understood, our primary innovation lies in its successful practical implementation within a multi-stage resonant LC-Marx architecture. We demonstrate that active timing control is the critical enabling technique for compensating for non-ideal component tolerances, transforming the native oscillating decay pulse into a high-fidelity quasi-square waveform. Through theoretical analysis, circuit simulation, and experimental validation, we demonstrate that actively synchronizing the third harmonic's zero-crossing point is critical for waveform shaping. Experimental results show a dramatic improvement in pulse top ripple from over 20% to less than 5%, successfully demonstrating the generation of an approximate square wave. This work expands the applicability of compact LC-Marx generators for advanced pulsed power applications requiring high-fidelity waveforms, such as medical electroporation and semiconductor processing.