The Compensated Pulsed Alternator (CPA) is a large rotating machine that will convert mechanical, rotationally stored energy into a single electrical impulse of very high power. It is being optimized for driving flashlamps in the very large NOVA Nd:glass laser system. The machine is a rotary flux compression device, and for maximum performance, it requires start-up current. We report upon a circuit that will provide this current and that will also assist in triggering the flashlamps. This circuit has been tested with a 200 kilojoule capacitor bank and it is now being tested with a small 200 kilojoule CPA. Large Nove-size machines will require output energies in excess of 5 megajoules. We also present empirically tested formulae that will assist in matching the Nova flashlamp load to any given size CPA machine. (ERA citation 04:049400)
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