A pulsed power generator with a 20 stage transmission-line-transformer and 20 spark-gap switches

For using multi-switches in parallel, external forced trigger is usually required to synchronize all of them. This paper describes a generator with 20 spark-gap switches without using external triggers. The generator mainly consists of a 20-stage transmission line transformer (TLT), 20 energy storage capacitors, and 20 high-pressure spark-gap switches. At the input side of the TLT, all switches, capacitors and TLT cables are inter-connected to synchronize them automatically. All switches are made of three electrodes and are assembled in one 2 bar compact chamber. The TLT consists of 100 RG218 cables. The capacitors are charged up to 50 kV during 20–50 µs with a total energy per pulse of 140 J. As a result, the output peak power is estimated to be about 5 GW. At the output side of the TLT, a variety of output options are possible. For the present design, output peak voltage, current and impendence are in the range of 50–250 kV, 1–50 kA and 1–250 Ω, respectively. Up to 100 independent simultaneous outputs can also be realized under the same peak power.