A 60 joule, 600kv, 1ns rise-time marx system

This paper describes work on the design and development of a low energy Marx generator system capable of producing a fast (1 ns rise time) /spl Ichemo/ 600 kV pulse. The system consists of a Marx generator, peaking circuit and a short length coaxial line with a passive load. The generator delivers the power to 10-150 ohm loads with a peak power approaching 10 GW. The unique features are simplicity of design, ease of operation, and above all compactness which permits easy portability and in-situ application. The system can be used: a) to produce an intense relativistic electron/ion beam in the virtual cathode reflex triode for high power microwave generation; b) for flash X-ray radiography to record and study dynamic events where interposed material, debris, or flame exclude the use of high speed cameras; c) to provide 10/sup 6/ to 10/sup 7/ D-D (2.45 MeV) or D-T (14.1 MeV) neutrons in several nanoseconds; d) to study the dielectric properties of matter; e) for NEMP studies; and f) to preionize a powerful (electron beam controlled) eximer laser system. Experimental results are presented along with computer simulations using lumped-parameter approximations.