Experimental Results from the 1.2 ma, 2.2 m Diameter Linear Transformer Driver at Sandia National Labs

Abstract

Herein we describe the design, simulation and performance of a 118-GW linear transformer driver (LTD) cavity at Sandia National Laboratories. The cavity consists of 20 to 24 “Bricks”. Each brick is comprised of two 80 nF, 100 kV capacitors connected electrically in series with a custom, 200 kV, three-electrode, field-distortion gas switch. The brick capacitors are bi-polar charged to a total of 200 kV. Typical brick circuit parameters are 40 nF (two 80 nF capacitors in series) and 160 nH inductance. Over the course of over 10,000 shots the cavity generated a peak electrical current and power of 1.19 MA and 118 GW.