Design and testing of a compact sub-GW, subnanosecond pulser

The system comprises a nanosecond SOS-generator that charges resonantly a short pulse-forming line (PFL) through a decoupling inductor, one or two pulse-compression stages based on high-pressure gas spark gaps (SG), a matched load and several built-in voltage and current probes. Weighing less than 50 kg, the pulser provides up to 160 kV subnanosecond pulses at a 37.5 Ω load at a repetition rate of up to 300 Hz. The pulsewidth can be regulated from 2 ns down to 300 ps without depressurizing the SG. The rise- and fall times are 180 ps and 100 ps, respectively. Circuit analysis accounting for distributed character of the components and numerous parasitic parameters is presented. Voltage and current measurement means were developed and time-domain calibrated. Voltage waveforms probed at different locations of the pulser system, from the SOS-generator to the load, are presented. The experimental results are in fair agreement with the simulation. Life test of a one-stage compression system was performed, and the results are reported.