A double output pulsed high current thyratron driver

Abstract

The design and development of a double output pulsed high current driver for high power multi-grid thyratron is reported. The driver generates a 100 A current pulse of 2 μs duration with a compliance voltage of 1000 V for driving grid-1. A voltage pulse of 1200 V and 1.2 μs duration, superimposed with -150 V bias has been generated for driving grid-2. A delay of 1 μs between the two drive pulses is achieved with the use of a simple circuit. The rate of rise of voltage better than 10 kV/μs and jitter of ±3 ns is achieved for grid-2 pulse. This driver module has been successfully used in a 50 kV, CX1575C thyratron switched pulsed power supply to drive a multi-joule transversely excited atmospheric CO(2) laser at 100 Hz. The grid driver module can also be used for driving any high current thyratrons with minor external changes.