Research on a Novel Nanosecond Marx Generator and Its Efficiency Analysis

Abstract

The traditional Marx generators based on avalanche BJTs usually use a DC voltage source to charge the storage capacitors, and many theoretical studies have proved that the existence of DC voltage source leads to low energy efficiency. This paper proposes a novel nanosecond Marx generator based on avalanche BJTs, which is charged by a series-resonant power supply. This power supply charges all capacitors with a constant average current and all BJTs avalanche breakdown stage by stage without any triggering signals. When the resistors are replaced by inductors, the efficiency can be further improved. The pulse repetition frequency can be adjusted by controlling the resonant average current. The output voltage can be increased by connecting more avalanche BJTs in series or increasing the number of stages of the Marx generators. The control method and the structure of the circuit are simple. Experimental results show that negative pulses with an adjustable frequency of 10–60 kHz, a pulse width of 8.45 ns, and an amplitude of 4 kV were obtained on a resistive load. The energy efficiency of the Marx generator was increased to 94%.