Study of Pulse Stretching in High Current Power Supplies Using Multipulse Techniques

Considerable interest exists at Fermilab to increase the pulse width of the Neutrino Focusing Horn to permit an increase in beam spill length from twenty (20) microseconds to one (1) millisecond. Two techniques to do this have been examined: 1) A high current transformer, and 2) Increased bank capacitance using the multi-power supply technique. The transformer is the most straightforward conceptually; it is, however, a complicated device requiring sizable changes to the existing horn power supply. This alternative will be briefly reviewed. The second scheme involves pulsing a 20 KV 200 KA power supply to establish the required load current and then maintaining this current by the sequential pulsing of a number of low voltage high current power supplies. This alternative will be discussed in detail with the results of tests performed on the Fermilab Focusing Horn System.