: We have investigated the properties of a magnetically delayed, low-pressure gas discharge switch. We performed measurements of the closure and recovery properties of the switch; performed quantitative erosion measurements; and observed the onset of x-ray production in order to compare switch properties with and without delay. Further, we performed qualitative optical measurements of transition line spectra to correlate our electrical recovery measurements with plasma deionization.
We address the problem of developing system models that are suitable for studying the control of the longitudinal beam dynamics in induction accelerators for heavy ions. In particular, we present the preliminary results of our efforts to devise a general framework for building detailed, integrated models of accelerator systems consisting of pulsed power modulator circuits, induction cells, beam dynamics, and control system elements. Such a framework will permit us to analyze and design the pulsed power modulators and the control systems required to effect precise control over the longitudinal beam dynamics
The problem of modeling the dynamic performance of high-average-power, high-repetition-rate magnetic pulse compressors is conducted. The development of system models suitable for studying output pulse stability in high-repetition-rate applications is emphasized. To this end, a magnetic switch model is presented which is suitable for system studies. A modeling tool is discussed which is being developed to perform these studies. Preliminary results of efforts to simulate the MAG1D compressor performance are also presented.< >
The ETA-II linear induction accelerator utilizes four pulse power conditioning chains. Magnetic pulse compression modulators (MAG1-Ds) form the last state of each chain. The upgrading and characterizing of the power conditioning chain on a high-average-power test stand (HAPTS) is reported. On the HAPTS, the pulse-to-pulse amplitude stability has been improved to less than 0.7% (one sigma) and the random jitter to 3-5 about a systematic timing variation. A description is presented of the work to achieve the desired performance level of the MAG1-D to allow high average power operation of ETA-II.<>
