Improvement on Double-EAGLE machine synchronization in both negative and positive modes of operation

Abstract

Double-EAGLE has been serving as a reliable user radiation facility for the past 15 years. It is primarily a 2-MV, 4-MA, 85-ns pulse generator driving PRS or diode loads. It can be operated in short- and long-pulse modes for both positive and negative polarities to meet the requirements of the radiation front-end load. In the negative, short pulse mode, the generator delivers more than 4 MA current to the PRS load with a pulsewidth of about 85 ns, and in the long pulse mode, the generator delivers the same amount of current with a pulsewidth of 180 ns. In the positive short pulse mode, Double-EAGLE delivers multi-MA currents and 2 MV voltage into reflex diodes for user radiation. We have made substantial improvements in the reliability of Double-EAGLE by improving the operation of the water switches and the triggered gas switches. The machine can now operate consistently with better than 10 ns synchronization between the two EAGLE modules. We present the Double-EAGLE facility operation data and capability.