THE MOLECULE, A COMPACT, HIGH-DENSITY, HIGH-PRECISION MARX GENERATOR

摘要

A Marx generator with the highest energy density ever achieved (39j/pound) is described. The unit, which operates at 2 MV in atmospheric SF6, is 2 m long, stores 18 kj and weighs, 460 pounds. The design incorporates several novel features: the stage capacitors are 100-kV plastic-cased units with a density of 100 joules per pound; grading is achieved by split grading rings; and a conductive elastomer charges and triggers the resistors. Its compactness, light weight, and atmospheric gas insulation ideally suits this Marx design for a variety of applications such as bounded-wave and radiating EMP simulators, plasma devices, laser systems, and electron-beam devices. The modular nature allows the design voltage to be increased or decreased as necessary. The unit has a demonstrated erection jitter of less than 10 nsec over a 7:1 voltage range and consequently can be precisely time-tied to test sequences or to other hardware.