Compact high-current pulse generator for laboratory studies of high energy density matter

We present the design and parameters of a compact and mobile high-current pulse generator, which can be applied in the study of warm dense matter in university laboratories. The generator dimensions are 550 x 570 x 590 mm(3), the weight is similar to 70 kg, and it consists of four bricks connected in parallel. Each brick, made up of 2 x 40 nF, 100 kV low-inductance capacitors connected in parallel, has its own multi-gap and multichannel ball gas spark switch, triggered via a capacitively coupled triggering by a positive polarity pulse of similar to 80 kV amplitude and similar to 15 ns rise time. At a charging voltage of similar to 70 kV, the generator produces a similar to 155 kA current pulse with a rise time of similar to 220 ns on a similar to 15 nH inductive short-circuit load and a similar to 90 kA amplitude current pulse in the underwater electrical explosion of a copper wire.

Automated summary

The paper presents the design and parameters of a compact and mobile high-current pulse generator for studying warm dense matter in university laboratories. The generator consists of four bricks connected in parallel, each containing low-inductance capacitors and gas spark switches to produce stable pulse currents under different loads.