Impact of time-varying loads on the programmable pulsed power driver called genesis

• Main Authors: Glover, S. F., Davis, J., Schneider, L. X., Reed, K. W., Pena, G. E., Hall, C. A., Hanshaw, H. L., Hickman, R. J., Hodge, K. C., Lemke, R. W., Lehr, J. M., Lucero, D. J., McDaniel, D. H., Puissant, J. G., Rudys, J. M., Sceiford, M. E., Tullar, S. J., Van De Valde, D. M., White, F. E., Warne, L. K., Coats, R. S., Johnson, W. A.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dielectrics; Insulators; Plasmas; Switches
• ISSN: 2158-4915; 2158-4923
• DOI: 10.1109/PPC.2011.6191673

The success of dynamic materials properties research at Sandia National Laboratories has led to research into ultra-low impedance, compact pulsed power systems capable of multi-MA shaped current pulses with rise times ranging from 220-500 ns. The Genesis design consists of two hundred and forty 200 kV, 80 kA modules connected in parallel to a solid dielectric disk transmission line and is capable of producing 280 kbar of magnetic pressure (>;500 kbar pressure in high Z materials) in a 1.75 nH, 20 mm wide stripline load. Stripline loads operating under these conditions expand during the experiment resulting in a time-varying load that can impact the performance and lifetime of the system. This paper provides analysis of time-varying stripline loads and the impact of these loads on system performance. Further, an approach to reduce dielectric stress levels through active damping is presented as a means to increase system reliability and lifetime.