Modernization of the MK-IX Generator

The design and performance of the MK-IX generator was originally published by Fowler and others in the 1989 IEEE Pulsed Power Conference in Monterey, CA. This was a versatile generator that was used for many experiments during the 1980s and 1990s. During that period, we delivered up to 30 MA current to a 35 nH load, and routinely delivered 21 MA to 72 nH inductive stores (16 MJ) for Procyon tests. New research efforts now need the output of a generator of this size, or larger. Our first step is to fabricate generators and demonstrate that we can reproduce old results. We have shown that we can still deliver 460 kA to the generator (7.2 muH) as before. We intend to modernize the MK-IX after establishing baseline performance. Castable explosives have become an efficient driver for generator armatures, but these explosives have reduced performance. To obtain the same output, we will have to modify the generator armature. For example, an aluminum armature could help compensate for explosive performance, and improve both cost and manufacturability. Calculations can compare the baseline design with more practical ones for future use. In this paper we present proposed changes, the pros and cons, and the status of our baseline fabrication and testing efforts.