Investigation of a magnetic pulse compression system containing gas switch

On the basis of the principle of magnetic pulse compression (MPC), a new magnetic pulse compression system based on magnetic switch (MS) is designed. The MPC system omits the external remagnetization circuits of the magnetic switch, and this prominent advantage can not only reduce the volume of magnetic switch, but also make the whole MPC unit more simple and compact. Detailed analysis of the working principle of this MPC system is presented. In this MPC device, we utilize the prominent advantage of magnetic switch to improve the turn-on and insulation recovery characteristics of gas switches, which can increase the repetition rate and life time of gas switches effectively. A device of this type has been successfully applied to switching a 6Ω resistive load. The current pulse produced on this load has a rising time about 500 ns and its peak value and duration are 508 A and 1.5 μs, respectively. And the operating frequency of a three electrodes switch can reach to 200 Hz.