Solid-State Marx Generator Using Hybrid Energy Storage

For pulsed power generation, the energy storage unit is one of the most fundamental components. The common energy storage methods in the current pulse power systems are capacitive energy storage (CES) and inductive energy storage (IES), each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this study, we have tested a circuit using both CES and IES, which we refer to as a hybrid energy storage (HES) approach. Compared with a CES or IES system, the output characteristics of an HES system show potential flexibility given by two free parameters <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\rho $ </tex-math></inline-formula>, which corresponds to the impedance relation between the source and the load, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\sigma $ </tex-math></inline-formula>, which corresponds to the initial relation between CES and IES. By using a five-module solid-state Marx circuit, an HES-based pulsed power generator has been demonstrated. In each module, power MOSFETs are used as switches for controlling the initial energy ratio between the capacitor and the inductor, before allowing both of them to release their energy to the load simultaneously. The results have characterized HES as the third choice for energy storage of pulsed power systems, after CES and IES.