An optimisation strategy for efficient pulse compression

A design strategy for magnetic pulse compressors is introduced which enables the total core losses in a pulse compression line to be reduced. In the traditional approach to the design of a pulse compressor, the total core volume is minimized with equal gain obtained in each of the stages. However, this technique leads to an imbalance in the distribution of losses between stages, and at high pulse repetition rates the losses in the final stage become excessive. In the proposed strategy, the total losses are minimized with respect to the individual core gains, and the resulting compressor design has a lower overall loss and a better distribution of losses through the system. The gain of the final stage and hence its core volume are reduced. This allows low inductance geometries to be attained more easily or lower loss/higher volume materials to be used. There is, however, an increase in the total volume of core material required