Plasma-Switch Pulse Generators

Custom pulse generators are available for unique and demanding applications that fall outside the scope of commercial systems. In general, our pulsed-power development projects fall into one of the following two categories:

  • Pulsed-power systems utilizing our spark-gap switches and trigger generators (typically >15 kV and >10 kA), or
  • Solid-state pulse generators employing parallel/series stacks of MOSFETs, FREDFETs, or IBGTs (typically <10 kV and ~100-1000 A),
although an overlap in the current-voltage capabilities exists for these two technologies. Our services are available from concept definition to delivery of turn-key hardware including system engineering, specialized component design and fabrication, and final assembly and testing.

Representative projects utilizing our plasma-closure switches include

  • Repetitive capacitor-discharge systems for X-ray laser research1,2 (CP-104 and -105),
  • 6-kJ, 50-kV pulsed power system for Z-pinch surface-discharge experiments,3
  • Four-arm X-pinch system,
  • 7-stage, 48-kJ Pulse Forming Network with adjustable pulse widths from 0.2-0.9 ms, and
  • 10-kV, 25-kJ pulsed power system for electroforming materials research
CP-104 pulser with strip-line feed:
5-10 kV, 25 J max, 31 nH, 0-10 Hz
 CP-105B pulser with double PFN:
3-10 kV, 2~10 kA, 40 nH, 10-100 Hz


6-kJ Z-pinch surface discharge
 Four-arm X-pinch system


48-kJ Pulse Forming Network
 25-kJ Electroformer system
1M. A. Klosner and W. T. Silfvast, "Intense xenon capillary discharge extreme-ultraviolet source in the 10-16 nm wavelength region," Opt. Lett. 23(20), 1609-11 (1998).
2M. A. Klosner and W. T. Silfvast, "Xenon-emission-spectra identification in the 5-20 nm spectral region in highly ionized capillary-discharge plasmas," J. Opt. Soc. Am. B17(7), 1279-90 (2000).
3R. E. Beverly III, "Characterization of a dual-segment cylindrical surface discharge," J. Appl. Phys. 69(7), 3830-3834 (1991).

Let us develop a special-purpose pulser to your exacting specifications. Please refer to our publications list for further information. If you are interested in custom product development, please download and complete our Pulser Questionnaire. Your standard-product inquiries are also invited.

Last revision: 11 January 2009

©Copyright 1999-2010 R. E. Beverly III and Associates