FAST-CHARGING BLUMLEIN PULSE FORMING LINE

A fast-charging, discharge-switch-free Blumlein pulse forming line has been developed for high-voltage pulsed power generation. In the BL, a saturable charging inductor (CI) of amorphous metallic core is utiliz ed and, as a result, fast-charging (charging time approximate to 220 n s) is obtained with a reduced prepulse. In addition, by using CI as a step-up transformer, the impedance of the output pulse can be converte d to 4Z, Z, Z/4. By using the BL with a Marx generator of 300 kV and 1 .1 kJ, an output of -580 kV at 24 kA and a pulse length of 60 ns are o btained, with a current rise time of less than 16 ns. The energy trans fer efficiency of the line (output pulse energy/charging energy of a p ulse forming line) is evaluated to be more than 92%.