New technological advancements in high power microwave (HPM) sources have sparked a renewed interest in HPM weapons in many DOD entities. These new giga-watt (GW) class sources require fast, repeatable, high voltage, high power driving pulses in order to perform optimally. Traditionally, sources of this caliber have been driven with spark gap switched pulse generators. While remaining a highly viable option for HPM source driving, spark gap switched systems have several inherent limitations that detract from their attractiveness as next generation HPM drivers. Those limitations include debilitating plasma recovery times, restrictive switch electrode ablation, and high shot-to-shot jitter, which combine to reduce achievable pulse repetition rates, system lifetimes, and pulse reproducibility. However, as solid-state switching technologies continue to improve, fully solid-state systems are becoming capable of performing in GW-class HPM systems. Previous Russian work shows the feasibility of using semiconductor opening switches (SOS) as drivers for nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) HPM sources at peak power levels above a giga-watt. During Phase I of this SBIR effort SARA conducted a trade study between an improved spark gap switched Marx generator and a fully solid-state Marx generator driving an SOS output stage. The analysis demonstrated both approaches to be capable of meeting the Navy and Air Forces performance requirements. Due to considerably higher performance capability, developments from US sourced opening switch R&D, and DOD input, SARA has elected the solid-state SOS architecture for further advancement in this Phase II. The effort will leverage SARAs ability to develop and field capable high voltage HPM drivers coupled with a long history evaluating, testing, and packaging state-of-the-art (SotA) silicon (Si) and silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor die into large pulse power systems. Additionally, American investment in SotA diode opening switch (DOS) manufacturing, testing, and fielding expertise will enable a first of its kind in the US sourced fully solid-state pulse generator development.
Benefit: This proposal details a successful development effort that will result in a very robust, highly reliable, long lifetime, fully solid-state pulse generator. The applications for a high performing pulse generator in the GW regime are very far reaching. The proposed system is energetic enough to be desired by the DoD and DoE, while, at the same time, not being overly energetic for many private industries to use. The DoD and DoE applications for such a pulse generator can range from driving HPM weapons, generating high-power RF for electronic susceptibility verification, pulsing high-energy accelerators, nuclear fusion experiments, or pumping lasers to name a few. Further, a reliable, easy to use, rep-rate capable pulser, such as one described here, is also very marketable in the commercial sector for high power pulsed radars, communications, and most likely high-power X-ray sources. Successfully demonstrating a completely solid-state giga-watt pulse generator will allow SARA to attractive candidate for government DoD contracts while opening doors for expansion into new market sectors.
Keywords: Marx Generators, Semiconductor Opening Switch (SOS), solid-state switching, compact pulsed power, high voltage capacitors, High-Power Microwave System, Drift Step Recovery Diode (DSRD)
