New Concepts for Pulsed Power Modulators--Diversified Technologies, Inc., 35 Wiggins Avenue, Bedford, MA 01730-2314; 781-275-9444
Dr. Jeffrey Casey, Principal Investigator
Mr. Michael A. Kempkes, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-99ER82775
Amount: $700,000

Future particle accelerators and colliders will require orders of magnitude improvement in pulsed power generation and control. These systems are projected to require millions of volts and thousands of amperes for very short pulses. Current pulsed power technology utilizes large gas discharge tubes, pulse forming networks, and pulse transformers. However, these technologies are incapable of scaling to the peak power requirements of the next generation of high power physics systems. In this project, previously developed solid state pulse power systems, up to 140 kV and 2000 A, will be scaled-up by nearly an order of magnitude in voltage. A prototype modulator with very high voltage and very high power will be built to demonstrate and assess the scalability of this technology. Phase I has developed two new designs for very high voltage solid state switching. The approaches for scaling have been proven on a small scale. The effort was then focussed on the development and characterization of a 500 kV solid state switch, which does not require pulse transformers. The designs have been assessed for cost, efficiency, and reliability. Phase II will build and characterize the modulator design for 500kV Next Generation Linear Collider (NLC) operation. This will be followed by a complete segment of the 500kV modulator being built and characterized under representative operative conditions.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: In addition to accelerators, these pulsed power systems should be applicable to new materials modification and treatment processes, and sterilization of both food and medical equipment. Very high voltage systems, may enable the development of new manufacturing and materials processing techniques across a wide range of industrial and medical applications.

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