SYRINX project: first results on a 160 kJ, 700 ns fast Marx module

This work is part of technological developments carried out within the SYRINX project in order to implement future multi megajoules drivers, using the multi module inductive energy storage (IES) concept. One of the two 640 kJ IES modules developed for that purpose requires a compact, sub-microsecond Marx generator. This paper presents first results on a 10 stages, one capacitor per stage Marx module whose parameters are as follows : 90 kV charging voltage, 160 kJ stored energy, 670 nH internal inductance, 470 kA peak current, and a 700 ns current risetime. Specific capacitors, gas switches and connections have been developed in the scope to reach stringent requirements in terms of low inductance value, high current switching, voltage insulation and reliability. Performances of those components and of the complete Marx including erection process and voltage and current diagnostics for various loads (short circuit, 0.5 /spl Omega/ and 2.1 /spl Omega/ resistances) are presented. Those results are correlated with numerical simulations using the circuit analysis code PSPICE.