A very-compact 50-kJ PFN generator

PFN-2 (Pulse Forming Network model 2) is a 6.5-kV, 50-MW, 10-ppm pulsed power system for research on ignition of combustion plasmas. An LC-network, utilizing custom air-core inductors and polypropylene capacitors, allows formation of 200-900 μs "top-hat" pulses (FWHM). Stored energy is commuted by a custom surface-discharge switch and high-speed trigger system.