Magnetic pulse compression driver for a plasma focus X-ray source

A three-stage magnetic pulse compression circuit (MPCC) was designed to drive a high average power plasma focus X-ray source. The MPCC driver should supply a maximum load current of 100 k A, with a rise-time of 250-300 ns. The maximum pulse voltage applied on the plasma discharge chamber is about 20 kV, and should have less than 50 ns rise-time. The three saturable inductors of the MPCC are to be made with toroidal strip-wound cores using Metglas 2605 CO amorphous alloy as the magnetic material. The maximum repetition rate is limited at about 50 Hz by the thyratron used in the first stage circuit, the driver supplying to the load about 10 kV average power. (Author) 6 Figs., 1 Tab., 24 Refs