An efficiency improvement method for high-voltage nanosecond pulse spiral generator based on optimized voltage wave propagation process

Abstract

The spiral generator, based on the principle of the electric field vector inversion, is capable of delivering repetitive high-voltage nanosecond pulses in the commercial portable pulsed x-ray source and gas switch trigger source. However, the spiral generator suffers from extremely low output efficiency, which significantly affects the compactness and accelerates the insulation film breakdown at electrode foil edges since the high charging voltage is required. A novel output efficiency improvement method for the spiral generator was proposed, implementing the permalloy film inside the passive layer to optimize internal voltage wave propagation processes during the pulser erection. Output characteristics and influential factors of the modified spiral generator are experimentally determined, and the wave propagation processes are analyzed. The significant output efficiency improvement (approximately from 10% to 30% combined with ferrite cores at the center) is seminal for the portable x-ray source and gas switch trigger source of compactness and long operation lifetime.