Evaluation of magnetic materials and insulation systems for repetition-rate pulse compression applications

Efficiency and thermal characteristics are some of the most critical attributes of magnetic materials that are employed as switches for repetition-rate pulse compression applications. Accordingly, a test stand has been constructed at the University of Missouri-Columbia to evaluate the switching properties of magnetic materials suitable for solid-state magnetic modulators for lasers or other loads requiring short duration, high power pulses. The testbed operational conditions can be adjusted to determine the effects of switching frequency. Variables include the voltage, initial pulse shape, time to initial saturation, and switching period. The data acquisition equipment and methods, data processing, generation of B-H curves, and determination of energy loss and mechanisms are also discussed.