A compact high-voltage pulse forming module with hundreds of nanoseconds quasi-squared output pulse.

A pulse forming module (PFM) with a multifunction of energy storage and a quasi-squared pulse output is developed to meet the challenge of a compact design and square output waveform in a high-power Marx generator. A simplified pulse forming circuit comprising only 2 parallel connected sections, in which every section contains an inductor and a capacitor in series, has been proposed and investigated carefully to obtain a quasi-squared waveform. Influences of inductance values in the circuit on its output waveform to a resistive load are investigated. PFMs are designed and fabricated based on the 2 section circuit, in which series folded film capacitors are employed to achieve a high energy density of 0.04 J/cm at a charging voltage of 120 kV. The as-designed module can output a quasi-squared waveform with FWHM of about 180 ns and the flattop duration greater than 90 ns. It can work at a repetition rate as high as 50 Hz, while the output waveforms show small differences. This research has developed a PFM with a quasi-squared output waveform based on a simplified 2 section circuit, which shows potential to reduce the size of the high power generator system that is based on it.