Development of a high-reliability low-jitter 6 MV/300 kJ Marx generator

A 6 MV, 300 kJ Marx generator (MG) prototype is designed for modular use in IFP's Z-pinch primary test stand (PTS)—a 6 MV, 10 MA, 24 module Z-pinch physics research device. Because of the requirements on simultaneity of 24 modules operating in PTS, prefire rate and jitter are key parameters of a MG. Therefore, the research emphasis on the MG prototype is to maximize reliability while maintaining acceptable jitter. It is designed as a hybrid-triggered S-type MG which utilizes the field distortion annular rail gap as switch. The MG performance as a function of spark gap pressure, trigger pulse voltage and charge voltage is presented. As the working ratio is kept at 71%, the jitter of delay and erection time is less than 3 ns and 2 ns, respectively.