Characterization of the failure shots of an induction voltage adder

Abstract

The properties of the failure shots on an induction voltage adder are described. This induction voltage adder is composed of six identical prime pulsed power sources, six induction cavities, and a lossless vacuum insulation output transmission line which is terminated by a rod-pinch diode. The failure modes include too early and too late firing of the laser-triggered gas switch in the prime pulsed power sources and abnormal diode impedance declining. The amplitudes of the voltage pulses across the feed port and azimuthal transmission line of the induction cavity are increased by 38% and 48%, respectively, in the event that this cell is driven too early. On the contrary, a reverse voltage pulse will be produced at the induction cavity when it is fired too late. The peak value of the reverse voltage pulse is about 50% of that of the normal polarity pulse. The abnormal rod-pinch diode impedance declining taking place occasionally decreases the load voltage and x-ray dose remarkably. However, the average amplitude of the voltage pulses across the six induction cavities is almost the same as that of a normal shot. We have also analyzed the property of the voltage pulses across the induction cell under the circumstance that only one induction cavity is fired. Both the experimental and circuit simulation data suggest that in this case the voltage pulses on the induction cell are nearly identical even though the load impedance varies vastly.