A proposal for the construction and operation of an inductive store for 20MJ

Abstract

A proposal for coupling 15 MJ of energy initially stored in the Canberra homopolar generator to a load in about 1.0 ms is described. 22 MJ is first transferred to a coaxial inductor at a peak current and voltage of 1.5 MA and 190 V respectively. Fast mechanical switches which are being developed would open to produce a potential of 1000 V and a peak power of 15 GW into the load. Information is given on the operation of a small version of the system being used to supply 100000 J to a high power laser amplifier.