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This study presents a simplified design for a solid state pulsed power modulator (SSPPM) based on a power cell structure. Similar to the Marx generator, the power cell structure has advantages such as reliability and modularity. In addition, the proposed SSPPM includes a capacitor charger that is simple and compact. The operating principle of, and the design considerations taken for, the SSPPM are discussed from a practical viewpoint. Based on a reasonable approximation, simplified design equations are developed for a capacitor charger and a high-voltage pulse-switching part, which are comprised of an LCC resonant converter and a power stage, respectively. Accordingly, detailed design procedures are proposed to develop the SSPPM with the following specifications: 40 kV, 20 A, 300 μs, 200 Hz, and 50 kW. The experimental results verify the specifications at the rated operating condition with an efficiency of 92.4%, and also confirm reliable arc-protection performance. Finally, the proposed design methodology, which utilizes simplified equations, can be used for designing an SSPPM based on the power cell structure for extensive applications. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article describes a modification and an experiment conducted on a solid-state pulsed power modulator (SSPPM) for medical linear particle accelerator (LINAC) applications. Depending on the operating condition of the magnetron, an existing design of an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT)-based modulator is modified, from a positive pulse generator to a negative pulse generator. The design of the gate driver circuit of the pulse discharging IGBTs is also slightly changed to secure reliability against the arc condition. The developed modulator has the following maximum output—pulse voltage of −40 kV, pulse current of −100 A, pulsewidth of 5 μs, and pulse repetition rate of 250 Hz. By adapting the proposed design to the pulsed power modulator for driving the magnetron, high peak and average power densities of 43 kW/L and 48.9 W/L, respectively, can be achieved. The experimental results from various tests conducted using a resistor load, including a rated operation and an arc protection, verify the robustness and utility of the developed SSPPM for medical LINAC applications. An experiment using a 9.3-GHz 1.7-MW X-band magnetron is also conducted. The developed modulator achieved a successful arc protection operation for the arc generated in the waveguide during the magnetron drive test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]