Status of Genesis a 5-MA Programmable Pulsed Power Driver

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science Vol. 40; no. 10; pp. 2629 - 2636
• Main Authors: Glover, S. F., White, F. E., Foster, P. J., Lucero, D. J., Schneider, L. X., Reed, K. W., Pena, G. E., Davis, J., Hall, C. A., Hickman, R. J., Hodge, K. C., Lemke, R. W., Lehr, J. M., McDaniel, D. H., Puissant, J. G., Rudys, J. M., Sceiford, M. E., Tullar, S. J., Van De Valde, D. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01-10-2012; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Current adding; current control; Design engineering; Dielectrics; Electric currents; Electric power; equation of state; genetic algorithms; Inductance; Integrated circuit modeling; isentropic compression; Mathematical model; modeling; Plasma physics; Power transmission lines; programmable control; Prototypes; pulse shaping; pulsed power; Solids
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2012.2185071

Genesis is a compact pulsed power platform designed by Sandia National Laboratories to generate precision shaped multi-MA current waves with a rise time of 200-500 ns. In this system, two hundred and forty, 200 kV, 80 kA modules are selectively triggered to produce 280 kbar of magnetic pressure (>;500 kbar pressure in high Z materials) in a stripline load for dynamic materials properties research. This new capability incorporates the use of solid dielectrics to reduce system inductance and size, programmable current shaping, and gas switches that must perform over a large range of operating conditions. Research has continued on this technology base with a focus on demonstrating the integrated performance of key concepts into a Genesis-like prototype called Protogen. Protogen measures approximately 1.4 m by 1.4 m and is designed to hold 12 Genesis modules. A fixed inductance load will allow rep-rate operation for component reliability and system lifetime experiments at the extreme electric field operating conditions expected in Genesis.