A transportable 500 kV, high average power modulator with pulse length adjustable from 100 ns to 500 ns

Physics International has developed and demonstrated a repetitive pulsed power system capable of producing up to 500 kV into a 50 /spl Omega/ load at 100 Hz. This transportable system is designed for operation in 10-second bursts. Prime power is supplied by a diesel generator. The pulsed power system consists of a two-stage thyratron-switched modulator, which pulse-charges an eleven-section ladder-network PFN through a step-up transformer. The number of active PFN sections can be selected to allow adjustment of the output pulse duration from 100 to 500 ns in 50 ns increments. Section capacitors are water-dielectric coaxial capacitors. Section inductors are oil-insulated coils. The output switch is an air-insulated 1 MV spark gap with UV illumination to stabilize the self-break voltage. A blow-down air system is used to cool the spark gap and assist in recovery for 100 Hz operation.