Development of energy storage/pulse discharge capacitors

The authors describe high voltage energy discharge capacitor technology and research and development issues, approaches and methodology. Results of some past development projects are presented. Film capacitors can deliver very high peak power pulses and high average power pulse trains. The energy density of film capacitors has historically been comparatively low, but recent developments have increased their energy density by an order of magnitude, and further advances are anticipated in the early 1990s. These advances will be based largely on new dielectric materials and dielectric systems. The availability of these high energy density pulse capacitors is contributing to the introduction of new military, industrial and commercial systems never before feasible