New four-switches bipolar solid-state Marx generator

Summary form only given. A novel solid-state Marx type topology capable of generating monopolar and bipolar high-voltage pulses is presented and discussed in terms of reliability for industrial applications and performance in comparison to other similar circuits. The novelty of this topology is that only four on-off switches are used per cell and the positive and negative pulses are generated using only one on-off switch per stage. The novelty of this topology is that only four on-off switches are used per cell and the positive and negative pulses are generated using only one on-off switch per stage. The application of positive followed by negative pulses, or vise-versa, in industrial processes such as liquid food sterilization, water and air pollution decontamination have shown evidence of higher effectiveness in relation to the use of monopolar pulse. However, from the point of view of the modulator, the generation of bipolar pulses imposes higher complexity, using additional switches in comparison to the needed in monopolar pulse generation. Nevertheless, topologies using additional semiconductors have higher operating flexible with respect to different load conditions, which can be industrially attractive. For this reason, it is very important to optimize this type of circuits. The presented circuit uses four on-off switches per stage, two for charging the energy storing capacitors, one for the positive pulse and another one for the negative pulse. This reduces the number of switches in relation to other Marx type topologies; however the pulse switches have to hold-off twice the dc input power supply voltage in each stage, which is a disadvantage in relation to other Marx type bipolar modulators. A comparative analysis regarding the number of switches per cell, semiconductor losses and hold off voltage of the semiconductor is made. The big advantage is the lower complexity in controlling the cell switches, which is industrially attractive. An industrial circuit- topology is obtained as a compromise in terms of operating performance, complexity and switching losses that is tested into different types of loads.