An all solid-state inductively-driven radiation-resistant modulator for fast-kicker magnet applications

Stangenes Industries has developed a solid-state inductor-driven kicker magnet pulse generator for use in a particle accelerator application. The system operates in a neutron environment which precludes the use of standard capacitor-driven systems. A 500-700 A pulse is produced by switching high-current through a large 360 μH inductor from the circuit return into a 6.5 μH kicker magnet. The DC magnetic field inside the inductor resists change in current producing a maximum 3.5 kV sinusoidal voltage pulse across the kicker magnet. A di/dt of 450 A/μs is produced in the kicker magnet and the current is maintained at a DC level until the system receives a command to end the deflection of the particle beam, whereby the switches again change state removing the kicker magnet from the source. Both the controls and the high-current DC supply are located 40 meters from the generator. The time of application and level of high-voltage across the IGBT switches is limited to a few μs and half the rated switch breakdown voltage, respectively. This topology statistically reduces the probability of a neutron-induced switch failure.