A pulsed power supply based on an optimized SFPFN scheme producing large currents with a flat top on a heavily inductive load

A power supply able to generate a pulsed large current (∼26 kA) with a flattop period > 10 ms for a heavily inductive load was designed based on the sequentially fired pulse forming network (SFPFN) scheme with high-energy-transfer efficiency. To overcome the high voltage stress on switching devices due to the SFPFN scheme, a novel electrical circuit topology was developed. In particular, the current changing rate ( di/dt ) on switching devices is limited by new designs of crowbar branch and pulse-forming unit (PFU). The assembled power supply is shown to provide an output current of a flattop of 26 kA and 12 ms on a load of 40 μ H and 4.24 mΩ with the predicted improvement in energy transfer efficiency.