A step-function HV generator for insulation research

A pulse generator producing a fast rising voltage step was developed. The switching device is a deuterium thyratron which discharges a bank of low inductance capacitors into a capacitive load. Careful mechanical design and layout of the pulse-forming element yielded a 30 kV voltage step with a rise time of 15 ns. The generator is employed in the study of electronic and ionic processes in gases and liquids.<
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