Solid-state pulsed power systems for the Next Linear Collider

Diversified Technologies, Inc. has received Phase II SBIR grants from the DOE for the application of solid-state switching to the Next Generation Linear Collider. Under the first of these, DTI delivered a hybrid modulator to SLAC in October 2002 for assessment. The modulator uses a solid-state series IGBT switch and a conventional pulse transformer to cathode pulse two klystrons at 500 kV, 530 A, with tight voltage regulation and pulse flattop. During this effort, the pulse transformer was determined to be an obstacle to increased modulator performance. A second grant was received to develop a low impedance toroidal pulse transformer, to operate efficiently in the hybrid modulator. Under a third grant, DTI investigated transformerless options for solid state switching, and tested a scale prototype of a 500 kV Marx switch for improved efficiency. This paper describes results from the hybrid modulator and Marx switch development efforts.