Development of a pulse generator for triggered spark-gaps

This paper describes the development of a trigger generator that is used in spark- gap triggering applications. The nal trigger design is modular with the ability to stack output stages to obtain a voltage increase without severally a ecting the rise- time. The trigger generator uses magnetic pulse compression technique in series with a pulse transformer to achieve nanosecond risetimes. Using three modules, a dv/dt of 1 kV/ns has been achieved with rep-rates exceeding several kiloHertz. The trig- ger generator system is isolated from surrounding system through ber optic cables, transformers, and is battery operated. This allows stable and robust operation in the noisiest of environments. The system was developed to trigger a 500 kV, 105 J, Marx Generator used in conjunction with a Virtual Cathode Oscillator(Vircator) as a High Power Microwave(HPM) source. It has also been used to trigger a Nonlinear Transmission Lines(NLTL), based HPM system. The overall system development is discussed, with details on the circuit structure. Also presented is a comparison of op- eration at di erent pulse repetition frequencies(PRF), experimental and simulation results, and di erent materials used for both the magnetic pulse compression and output pulse transformer.

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