A PSPICE simulation of a plasma-focus device driven by a magnetic pulse compression circuit

The plasma-focus device (PFD) discharge chamber consists essentially of two coaxial electrodes and an insulator across which the initial breakdown occurs. The central electrode attaches to a central header that provides an electrical connection to the PFD driver (pulser). The main goal is to achieve very high average EM power delivered to the PFD. The only method to reach the desired average output power is magnetic pulse compression (MPC). A 200 J/pulse, 50/100 Hz magnetic pulse compression circuit (MPCC) has been designed. The circuit has a 25 kV working voltage, and compresses a 29.5 /spl mu/s/1 kA pulse into a 560 ns/100 kA plasma current pulse. The PSPICE simulation of this MPCC is discussed.