Losses in pulsed DC fusing systems

Determining losses in an energy system can be more frustrating than the original design process of that system. A fusing technique utilizing a thin film planar geometry is currently being developed at the Energy Systems Institute as a pulsed light and fusing source. The thin film in question is capacitor grade, metallized polypropylene film. The film is seven microns thick and is cut into strip lengths of 12" /spl times/ 3/4". The metallized surface has a resistance of 7 /spl Omega//square. The film is then subjected to pulsed DC voltages of 2500 V. The voltage is being supplied through a 12.5 kV/sub dc/, 2 /spl mu/F filter capacitor. Losses in a pulsed discharge system have been traced to the switching mechanism, leads and contacts for the load, and the stray inductance of the capacitor. Future work will entail optimizing the system to achieve more efficient fusing action.