Invention and Proof of Principle Testing of a Novel Geometry Vector Inversion Generator

A Vector Inversion Generator (VIG) takes electrostatically stored energy and converts it into a fast-rising high-voltage pulse. VIGs have been created by winding a double layer of conductive foil and dielectric material on a cylindrical mandrel creating a spiral wound device. The author has built and tested a VIG in a novel geometry that exhibits the same Vector Inversion Generator principle as a spiral wound device. The proof of principle testing results of the novel geometry VIG are compared to those of a spiral wound VIG of approximately the same single-line conductor area, number of windings, and equivalent diameter. The comparison shows that the novel geometry VIG creates nearly the same output fast-rising high-voltage pulse as the spiral wound VIG and with the same level of efficiency. The novel geometry VIG shows promise for enabling the creation of VIG pulse generators in a more compact geometry with a lower overall device weight than the equivalent spiral wound VIG.