A repetitive, one microsecond, thirty five kilojoule, two hundred kilovolt pulse generator

An effort was made to produce a compact, lightweight, high-energy modulator. The device was to power various low-impedance loads including up to 25 vacuum diodes in parallel. Desired characteristics were a 1 μs rectangular pulse of 200 kV amplitude into 1 to 2.5 Ω loads. Pulse repetition rates from single shot to 10 pulses per second (PPS) were required. A modular design was used in which two 17.5 kJ, type `C´ pulse forming networks (PFNs) were stacked and their outputs added in series to meet the pulse requirements. The design and construction of each module and the interconnecting circuitry are presented. Problem areas in the pulser development included low inductance design; spark gap switch stability; efficiency, and simultaneity; and fast (100 ms) charging of the high-energy PFN for 10-PPS operation