The advanced photon source linac modulators PSpice simulation and upgrade

The APS linac modulators provide DC pulses to Thales 35/45-MW klystrons. The modulators are pulse forming network (PFN)-type pulsers with EMI 40-kV switch-mode charging supplies. The PFN consists of two 8-cell lines connected in parallel. EEV CX1836A thyratrons are used as discharge switches. The PSpice simulation of the modulators using OrCAD release 9.1 made it possible to find appropriate parameters of RC circuits that reduce high-frequency ringing of the pulse transformer primary voltage. In order to improve pulse top flatness (originally /spl plusmn/3%), new coils were built and installed. The coils allow discrete tuning of pulse waveforms by changing the amount of used turns. The advantage of two parallel-line PFN configurations was also used. An equivalent method using a low-voltage generator was used for PFN fine tuning.