Solid state pulse adding system for transient plasma ignition

This pulse generator was developed to provide a compact, cost effective method for transient plasma ignition (TPI) experiments, which typically require the formation of arrays of streamers. A pulse adding method is described wherein a fast pulse (20 ns) is combined with a slow pulse (10’s μs). Streamer formation is observed under conditions where breakdown normally does not occur. The fast pulse generator is based on a magnetic reactor driven diode opening switch that produces a 20 ns, 60 kV pulse. This fast pulse is then added to a slow rising pulse produced via a flyback rapid charger (30 kV, 30 μs pulse). At the same peak output voltage level, the dual pulse system in a smaller gap (0.6″) was able to achieve similar results as a pseudospark switched pulse generator (∼60 kV, 50 ns) in a CH4-air, Φ=1, 1 atm, larger gap (1.3″), and the dual pulse system is able to deliver higher peak voltage than the pseudospark generator. The ignition performance at higher peak voltage is under investigation. Additionally a next generation high repetition rate pulse generator design is outlined that is based solely on magnetic compression.