Low Impedance Simulator Studies.

The report describes work done in support of the low impedance pulsed electron beam generator development goals of the Defense Atomic Support Agency. The purpose of the work was the development of new technology upon which the design of future low impedance simulators can be based. Of particular interest are the results obtained using gas trigatron switches with a coaxial water-insulated PFN to drive an electron beam diode. The low prepulse and repeatable switch characteristics resulted in very reproducible and predictable electron beams. The beam diode and the transition connecting it to the PFN were studied experimentally and analytically in an attempt to obtain improved energy flow. Computer modelling work is described and laboratory measurements on scale models are reported. (Author)