DEVELOPMENT OF AN ULTRAFAST MODERATE ENERGY PULSE POWER SYSTEM

摘要

A unique pulse power system has been constructed and installed at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. This system generates very high energy density plasmas for the specific purpose of determining the electrical, thermodynamic and radiative proper-ties of materials at high temperatures. Theoretical indications suggest that if a sufficiently fast rate of energy transfer is achieved, a very high temper¬ature can be obtained even when there is only moderate stored energy (about 10 3 joules) in the system. Therefore, the system has been designed to provide a very fast rising pulse (less than 8 nsec to a peak current of approximately 70,000 amperes of short duration (50 nsec) for the case of a constant and matched 4.7 ohm load impedance. System design features are discussed including the parallel coupling of 15 synchronized 320 kv Marx-surge generators to an evacuatable transducer chamber by means of a multiple-input matched impedance transmission line. The developmental engineering of each of the major system components is documented, indicating the processes employed to ensure maximum system usefulness and reliability. Special care was given to the development of reliable electrical and optical diagnostic instrumentation and of a set of operational system checks. The results of preliminary testing of the completed pulser, both at Field Emission Corporation and subsequently at Kirtland Air Force Base, are discussed, with mention of certain features of the system installation.