Characterization and applications of vector inversion generators

In 1964, Fitch and Howell developed vector inversion generators (VIGs). To date, they have periodically been studied for a number of applications such as X-ray generators, high-power RF sources, and trigger generators. In this current research effort, these devices have been revisited and studied for a variety of applications. In this work, we developed a theoretical description of the vector inversion generator, extracted design guidelines from the theory, established a relevant switch and materials database for various applications, and designed and constructed highly efficient devices using the developed methodology. These spiral-line VIGs that take electrostatically stored energy and convert it to high-power, high-frequency electromagnetic energy in essentially a one-component, one-step process have been built, characterized, and evaluated as a potential power source for several military and NASA applications. We concentrated on minimal size with maximum generated power in both single pulse and repetitive operation. In this paper, we will show that there is a functional relationship between the value of diameter to number of turns ratio (D/n) and the voltage efficiency. This is understandable in the context that for a given diameter, the diameter determines the characteristic "speed" of the "slow" part of the VIG while the length which is directly proportional to the number of turns determines the characteristic "speed" of the fast side. Thus, the D/n ratio is a measure of the ratio of the high/low frequency components of the generator. From a series of devices constructed here, the efficiency of the units doubled as the D/n ratio varied from 1 to approximately 6. Also, in this paper, we will talk about potential applications of this technology and will give point-designs that were used to construct and test devices for these applications.