Solid-state pulsed power systems for the Next Linear Collider

The Next Generation Linear Collider (NLC) represents a significant challenge for high voltage modulator technology. The 3,000 X-band klystrons which provide the RF for the accelerator are designed for 500kV, 265A operation (>125 MW peak input power) for a period of 1-5 microseconds. Several technologies, ranging from traditional thyratron/PFN modulators to more exotic designs, have been proposed to meet the NLC technical requirements. Given the large number of klystron modulators required, several factors in addition to acquisition cost are significant to NLC´s overall affordability. Small improvements in modulator efficiency, reliability, and maintainability have significant life cycle cost impacts. In 1999, Diversified Technologies, Inc. (DTI) was awarded three Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants from the Department of Energy to assess the applicability of solid state switching technology for the NLC.