Solid-State Dual Marx Generator With a Short Pulsewidth

Abstract

A solid-state Marx generator with a short pulsewidth not restrained by the maximum operating frequency of the employed semiconductor switches is proposed for adapting to various pulsed power applications. This repetitive generator is capable of controlling the voltage level, polarity, pulsewidth, and frequency for each pulse. The proposed topology is based on a fully solid-state Marx concept using a series connection of full-bridge switch-capacitor cells (SCCs). Independent control and combination of each SCCs' operation mode result in a greater freedom of control of the pulse parameter. An eight-SCCs stage prototype was implemented using 1200 V insulated gate bipolar transistors and tested. In the experiments, the bipolar pulses of from -4 to 4-kV amplitude are achieved, and the pulsewidth was adjusted down to 300 ns.