A Blumlein pulser design for driving a flash soft X-ray source

Abstract

The design of a DC charged Blumlein pulser in a cylindrical configuration capable of delivering 500 J in less than 200 ns at 25 kV to an imploding plasma load of 50 m Omega dynamic impedance in a 5 nH inductance diode is described. The pulser is targeted to drive a short-circuit peak current of 500 kA rising in 100 ns. The design integrates multiple-spark-gap switches with the Blumlein store in order to maximize its performance. The experimental pulser is easy to modify and maintain in an attempt to achieve a billion-shot life expectancy at 100 Hz. Design and computer simulation of a pulser under fabrication are reported.<>