A microsecond generator based on pulse transformer and its discharge applications

With the plasma applications, kinds of high voltage (HV) pulsed generators of different principles and different parameters are developed for the increasing requirement. For the reliability and compactness of HV pulsed generators, the study on pulse transformer is required. Pulse transformer can easily achieve HV output and compress pulse width. In this paper, a wideband pulse transformer was developed with repetitive frequencies varying from 0 to 10 kHz. By calculating the magnetization characteristics and choosing the suitable core material, the volume and winding lines, turns, cross-sectional area, winding method, and insulation of pulse transformer are designed. Depending on semiconductor switches and pulse transformer, a compact repetitive frequency microsecond generator was developed, with the output voltage amplitude of up to 30 kV, repetitive frequency varying from 0 Hz to 10 kHz and pulse width of 8 μs. Finally, the generator is used for the large-area dielectric barrier discharge experiments, and discharge voltage, discharge current, and the preliminary discharge characteristics are presented.