A 10-GW Pulsed Power Supply for HPM Sources

A research activity involving the detailed consideration of novel high-voltage transformers for pulsed-power applications has recently begun at Loughborough University. Although the main goal is the demonstration of a compact and lightweight unit employing magnetic insulation under vacuum conditions, the initial stage of the work is directed toward the development of a conventional air-cored transformer as a main component in a compact power supply for high power microwave sources. In cooperation with the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), the power supply has been tested with a microwave source of the vircator type. The power generator for the system uses a 70-kJ/25-kV capacitor bank and an exploding wire array to generate a 150-kV voltage pulse in the primary circuit of a transformer. A pressurized SF₆ spark gap in the secondary circuit sharpens the high-voltage output so that pulses approaching 500 kV and with a rise time well below 100 ns are generated on a 20-Omega high-power resistor, with the peak power in excess of 10 GW. Experimental results are presented from final testing of the system, where a reflex triode vircator replaces the 20-Omega resistor. Measurements of the microwave emission using free-field sensors are presented, and comments are made with the microwave emission from the same vircator when powered by a Marx generator at FOI