Superconducting inductive pulsed power supply for electromagnetic launchers: design aspects and experimental investigation of laboratory set-up

The principle of the superconducting inductive energy storage and of superconducting pulse switching is reviewed. Design criteria are discussed by introducing two different laboratory set-ups. Special emphasis will be laid on the methods of charging the energy storage and on the pulse switching. The layout and dimensioning of an experimental pulsed power supply with an energy capacity of 4 MJ are described. First experimental results are presented and future development steps are discussed