Design and testing of the 5 kHz, 3 MW thyratron modulators for ETA II

The Experimental Test Accelerator (ETA) II is a high-average-power linear induction accelerator built to support free-electron-laser research. Magnetic pulse compression and high-power thyratron modulators are used to generate the 125 kV accelerator drive pulses. The authors describe the design and testing of the 5 kHz, 3 MW thyratron modulators for the ETA II. The power conditioning system and the pulse timing requirements are described, and the operation of the ETA II system is discussed.<>