Induction Cell Breakdown Experiments For The Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrotest (DARHT) Facility

Linear induction cells for the Dual-Axis Radiographic Hydrotest (DARHT) Facility have been tested to determine their high-voltage breakdown characteristics. A variety of full scale insulators were tested both in actual cells and in fixtures simulating induction cells. All insulators were constructed using cross-linked polystyrene (Rexolite). High-voltage pulses up to 550 kV were applied to the insulators using both a 60-ns pulse Blumlein and a 200-ns pulse cable Marx. Two different vacuum gaps were used in these tests, 1.46 and 1.91 cm. The tests were performed at various vacuum levels ranging from 1 x 10 -6 to 5 x 10/sup -8/ torr. Breakdown tests of the insulators were also performed with an electron beam generated in the vacuum gap through the use of a velvet emitter. The gap voltage and current were measured using calibrated E-dot and B-dot probes.