Pulsed Energy Systems for Generating Plasmas

*† This paper will describe the techniques needed to electrically generate highly ionized dense plasmas for a variety of applications. The components needed in pulsed circuits are described in terms of general performance parameters currently available from commercial vendors. Examples of pulsed systems using these components are described and technical data from laboratory experiments presented. Experimental data are given for point designs, capable of multi-megawatt power levels. Nomenclature E = electric field K = life in number of charge-discharge cycles DRPT = double resonant pulse transformer L = inductance C = capacitance κ = coupling factor VIG = vector inversion generator β = efficiency factor V = voltage I = current n = number of turns R = resistance D = VIG diameter