High Voltage Ceramic Transformers

A ceramic transformer made from a piezoelectric material such as polarized BaTiO3 can be designed to have a voltage step-up of about 60 at 15 KC/S. The design of such a transformer is described. Equations giving step-up ratio and losses as a function of piezoelectric coefficients and transformer dimensions are derived. Experimental results are given and discussed. BaTiO3 transformers begin to show a strong decrease in performance if the electric field strength in the material exceeds 250 volts per cm. The operation of ceramic transformers at various wavelengths is covered. Finally, the operation of ceramic transformers in vacuum is considered.