The importance of low inductance, low resistive phase switches in compact pulse power systems

Summary form only given. In order to design and fabricate compact pulse power systems, the basic functions of a pulse power system must be combined in the same volume. This approach is critically dependent upon the pulse power switches employed to reduce the mass, volume and weight of pulsed power system. The three general functions a power conditioning system must perform are storage, switching, and scaling. This paper discusses the importance of switches in compact pulse power systems due to the fact that the available energy storage technologies operate near dielectric breakdown and scaling methods are limited to switch dependent vector inversion generators and transformers. Two design examples of compact, stacked Blumlein line pulse power systems are presented and the switch requirements developed. This paper also evaluates the benefits of high dielectric strength materials when employed in very thin sections in energy storage and scaling systems. These system design examples are compared with conventional approaches for pulse power systems and compact power conditioning systems goals. Experimental data from a gas switched stacked Blumlein line system is presented to demonstrate the switching requirements of such a power conditioning system. Finally, candidate switch technologies that have the potential to meet the compact pulse power system requirements are presented with future research and development requirements.