A pulsed power generator with a 20 stage transmission-line-transformer and 20 spark-gap switches

For using multi-switches in parallel, external forced trigger is usually required to synchronize all of them. This paper describes a generator with 20 spark-gap switches without using external triggers. The generator mainly consists of a 20-stage transmission line transformer (TLT), 20 energy storage capacitors, and 20 high-pressure spark-gap switches. At the input side of the TLT, all switches, capacitors and TLT cables are inter-connected to synchronize them automatically. All switches are made of three electrodes and are assembled in one 2 bar compact chamber. The TLT consists of 100 RG218 cables. The capacitors are charged up to 50 kV during 20-50 μs with a total energy per pulse of 140 J. As a result, the output peak power is estimated to be about 5 GW. At the output side of the TLT, a variety of output options are possible. For the present design, output peak voltage, current and impendence are in the range of 50-250 kV, 1-50 kA and 1-250 Ω, respectively. Up to 100 independent simultaneous outputs can also be realized under the same peak power.