Development and Characterization of Repetitive 1-kJ Marx-Generator-Driven Reflex Triode System for High-Power Microwave Generation

This paper presents the design and development of a repetitive Marx generator rated at 1 kJ, 300 kV, 12 kA, and 10 Hz and which is suitable to drive the load directly. Bipolar charging of a Marx generator scheme has been adopted to get the following: 1) faster rise time and 2) relatively low charging voltage. The faster rise time is due to the reduced number of spark gaps down to six for 12 in-series capacitors (0.15 μF and 50 kV) of a six-stage bipolar-charging Marx generator. Interstage inductive charging further enhances the efficiency of the overall system as compared to resistive charging. The generator is characterized by an aqueous resistive load for both polarities at the output voltage. Output voltages of the same magnitude have been achieved for both polarities. The matched impedance is found to be 25 Ω for which a suitable reflex triode is designed. Intense electron beams and high-power microwaves have been generated using this Marx generator and reflex triode system. Experimental results demonstrating the Marx generator and the reflex triode operation are presented and discussed.