An Inductive Isolation-Based 10 kV Modular Solid Boost-Marx Pulse Generator

The solid-state Marx pulse generator is widely used in various fields such as biomedical electroporation, food processing, and plasma material modification. In this paper, an inductor is chosen as an isolation device and by adding a switch to the circuit, a solid-state boost-Marx pulse generator (BMPG) is formed. On the one hand, the inductor forms a boost circuit to multiply the output voltage gain, and on the other hand, it solves the shortcomings of conventional Marx pulse generators where the charging speed and total efficiency during high-frequency pulse generation are drastically affected by the isolation resistor. The selection criteria for inductors is well derived. Based on the PSpice simulation verification, a 12-module prototype of BMPG is built. The test results show that the circuit can achieve 10 kV high-voltage pulse output with a pulse width of 200-1000 ns and an adjustable repetition frequency of 0-10 kHz. While the input DC voltage requirement is only 235 V, the pulse voltage boost multiple is up to 42.5 times. Additionally, with the different switching sequences, the proposed BMPG can realize the adjustable change of pulse rising time and falling time.

Automated summary

This paper presents a solid-state boost-Marx pulse generator (BMPG) using an inductor as an isolation device and a switch to amplify the output voltage. It solves the problems of conventional generators where the isolation resistor affects the charging speed and total efficiency. The selection criteria for inductors and the performance of the circuit are verified through tests.