A 10-GW pulsed power supply for HPM sources

• A research activity involving the detailed consideration of novel high-voltage transformers for pulsed-power applications has recently begun at Loughborough University. Although the main goal is the demonstration of a compact and lightweight unit employing magnetic insulation under vacuum conditions, the initial stage of the work is directed toward the development of a conventional air-cored transformer as a main component in a compact power supply for high power microwave sources. In cooperation with the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), the power supply has been tested with a microwave source of the vircator type. The power generator for the system uses a 70-kJ/25-kV capacitor bank and an exploding wire array to generate a 150-kV voltage pulse in the primary circuit of a transformer. A pressurized SF6 spark gap in the secondary circuit sharpens the high-voltage output so that pulses approaching 500 kV and with a rise time well below 100 ns are generated on a 20-Omega high-power resistors With the peak power in excess of 10 GW. Experimental results are presented from final testing of the system, where a reflex triode vircator replaces the 20-Omega resistor. Measurements of the microwave emission using free-field sensors are presented, and comments are made with the microwave emission from the same vircator when powered by a Marx generator at FOI.

Nyckelord

compact pulsed-power systems

high-power microwaves (HPMs)

high-voltage transformers (HVTs)

opening switches (OSs)

TECHNOLOGY Electrical engineering, electronics and photonics Electrophysics

TEKNIKVETENSKAP Elektroteknik, elektronik och fotonik Elektrofysik

TECHNOLOGY Engineering physics Plasma physics with fusion

TEKNIKVETENSKAP Teknisk fysik Plasmafysik med fusion

Publikations- och innehållstyp

kon (ämneskategori)

ref (ämneskategori)