High voltage solid state switched Vector Inversion Generators

A Vector Inversion Generator, VIG, consists of two parallel plate transmission lines sharing a common conductor wound on a mandrel. By simple switching of one of the lines, it is possible to take statically stored energy and convert it to a transient high voltage electromagnetic pulse in a one step process. These units can be made highly efficient and are capable of developing high transient voltages in a time that is determined by the two way transit time for an electromagnetic wave to propagate up the active line. Heretofore, the active line in a VIG has been switched using a dielectric puncture or by a spark gap due to the high currents and time rate of change of current. In this paper, we will describe our efforts to produce a solid state, precision switched VIG for applications at high repetition rate and at modest energy per pulse. Test data at repetition rates (rep-rates) up to 500 Hz and for modest voltages will be presented.