300 kV Tesla Transformer Based Pulse Forming Line Generator

Many modern applications of pulsed power, such as industrial food processing, pollution control and compact radiation sources for the defence industry require a simple, reliable, repetitive table-top high-power source. Although Marx generators are commonly used, a much simpler technical solution is to couple a single high-voltage capacitor with a repetitive and miniaturized plasma opening switch (POS). Loughborough University has recently begun the first investigations into this area of technology, and the paper presents a 300 kV high-power 3.8 Omega/50 ns pulse forming line generator based on Tesla transformer technology that has been designed and recently successfully commissioned. All the high-voltage components required for the generator are described, together with results obtained from the diagnostic tools. The generator is used to drive a miniature and repetitive POS and results from the phase of the experimentation are presented.