All-solid-state pulsed power modulator for high power, high repetition rate applications

All-solid-state modulators adopting semiconductor switches using commercially available fast-switching thyristors have been successfully developed. The modulator for a pulse streamer corona was composed of a 40 kV-1500 A-2.5 /spl mu/s rated switch, two-stage MPCs and a 1:4 pulse transformer. Continuous operation with output energy of 45 J/pulse at 1000 pps was verified by applying the modulator to a coaxial type discharge cell. The other modulator for an excimer laser comprised a 30 kV-2600 A-4 /spl mu/s rated switch and two-stage MPCs. Laser operation of 890 mJ/pulse at 300 pps was conducted with the XeCl excimer laser. The test results on these modulators indicated a possibility of the replacement of the thyratron modulators with the all-solid-state modulators.