Marx circuit modified by adding a tail sphere gap to generate lightning impulses lasting a few microseconds

A substantial decrease in efficiency compared with the standard lightning impulse occurs in the production of very short-tailed lightning impulses by means of the Marx generator. A modification of one of the typical Marx circuit configurations, i.e. the series connection of a sphere gap and an inductance to the tail resistance, is suggested here to overcome this drawback. Digital simulation of the phenomena involved and extensive experimental work prove this solution to be suitable for the purpose.