Publications Details
Status of Repetitive Pulsed Power at Sandia National Laboratories
Multi-kilojoule repetitive pulsed power technology moved from a laboratory environment into its first commercial application in 1997 as a driver for ion beam surface treatment. Sandia's RHEPP II, a repetitive 2.5 kJ/pulse electron beam accelerator, has supported the development of radiation treatment processes for polymers and elastomers, food products, and high dose- rate effects testing for defense programs since early 1996. Dos Lineas, an all solid-state testbed, has demonstrated synchronization techniques for parallel magnetic modulator systems and is continuing the development of design standards for long lifetime magnetic switches and voltage adders at a shot rate capability that exceeds 5x106 pulses per day. This paper will describe progress in multi-kilojoule class repetitive pulsed power technology development, limitations of magnetic switching technology for accelerator and modulator applications, and future research and development directions.