A 5KV, 3MHz solid-state modulator based on the DSRD switch for an ultra-fast beam kicker

Abstract

A solid-state modulator is being developed at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory for ultra-fast broadband beam deflection. The modulator design is based on an opening switch topology that uses Drift Step Recovery Diodes (DSRDs) as the opening switches. The modulator provides nano-second length pulses into a 50 Ω load, i.e. a strip line kicker. The rise and fall time of the kicker is primarily determined by the switching characteristic of the DSRD and has been measured as approximately 1.5ns with a 5kV output voltage. A pumping circuit for the DSRD kicker has been developed to drive 200A through the DSRD with a 3MHz repetition rate.

Analysis and Experiment of Nanosecond Pulse Circuit Based on Commercial Si-p-i-n Rectifier Diode

“…According to (11) and (12), when diodes are connected in parallel, the total diode area increases, resulting in a decrease in "pedestal" voltage and an increased rise time.…”

“…With an increase in the number of series diodes, the "pedestal" voltage increases and the maximum voltage amplitude decreases. According to (11), the "pedestal" voltage is directly proportional to the width of the i layer. With the increase of series diodes, the total i layer width increases, increasing "pedestal" voltage.…”

“…In the 1980s, the drift step recovery diode (DSRD) was invented by Russian scientist, Grekhov et al [9]. The device using inductance as the energy storage element has the capability of cutting off kA current [10], switching off time at a level of nanosecond or sub-nanosecond, kilohertz to megahertz repetition frequency [11], [12], picosecond switching jitter [13], and an almost infinite lifetime. It is an ideal switch to produce a high-voltage fast pulse.…”

Development of a nanosecond high voltage pulser based on Semiconductor Opening Switch

“…Technology for generating fast pulses has found widespread application in the pulsed power and particle accelerator areas [1][2][3]. However, producing an ultra-narrow pulse with tens of kilovolts is challenging, especially in a few nanoseconds.…”

4H-SiC Drift Step Recovery Diode with Super Junction for Hard Recovery

“…It is a kind of pulse power switch based on the plasma principle, which can operate in the inductive energy storage circuit. The DSRD-based pulse generator is widely used in ground penetrating radar [ 2 ], electromagnetic pulse radar [ 3 , 4 ], accelerator [ 5 ], igniter [ 6 ], ultra-high speed broadband beam deflection [ 7 ], etc. In order to improve its operating voltage and current and switching speed, DSRDs based on new materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) were prepared.…”