D. K. Sharma

Preliminary results of Linear Induction Accelerator LIA-200

Repetitive Pulsed Power Technology is being developed keeping in mind the potential applications of this technology in material modifications, disinfections of water, timber, and food pasteurization etc. BARC has indigenously developed a Linear Induction Accelerator (LIA-200) rated for 200 kV, 4 kA, 100 ns, 10 Hz. The satisfactory performance of all the sub-systems includ- ing solid state power modulator, amorphous core based pulsed transformers, magnetic switches, water capacitors, water pulse- forming line, induction adder and field-emission diode have been demonstrated. This paper presents some design details and operational results of this pulsed power system. It also highlights the need for further research and development to build reliable and eco- nomic high-average power systems for industrial applications.

A design approach for systems based on magnetic pulse compression

A design approach giving the optimum number of stages in a magnetic pulse compression circuit and gain per stage is given. The limitation on the maximum gain per stage is discussed. The total system volume minimization is done by considering the energy storage capacitor volume and magnetic core volume at each stage. At the end of this paper, the design of a magnetic pulse compression based linear induction accelerator of 200 kV, 5 kA, and 100 ns with a repetition rate of 100 Hz is discussed with its experimental results.

A sub-nanosecond rise time intense electron beam source

This paper presents the design and development of a 75 kV, 55 A, 2 nanosecond duration, ? 850 ps rise time, single shot, intense ( ? 100 A/cm2) electron beam source and also the measurement technique adopted in sub-nanosecond regime. A 200 kV (nanosecond pulse) coaxial pulse forming line (PFL) based pulser is designed to drive a cold cathode explosive emission electron gun. The electron gun diode consists with a planer graphite cathode, which has the emission area of 8 mm diameter and a SS 304L anode mesh. Vacuum is achieved of the order of 3.5e-5 mbar by using a diffusion pump, backed by rotary pump. At the diagnostic side for diode voltage measurement a fast response copper sulphate aqueous solution resistive voltage divider is designed and implemented. For the beam current diagnostic a graphite Faraday cup is designed with taking care of response time in GHz (1.0?3.0 GHz) regime. The circuit diagram, voltage and current waveforms and the experimental setup is presented.

Allele mining in β-lactoglobulin gene of Capra hircus

β-Lactoglobulin (β-LG) genetic polymorphisms are important and well known due to their effects on quantitative traits and technological properties of milk. At the DNA level, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) allows for the detection of unknown polymorphisms at β-LG loci. Here we describe the usefulness of the PCR-SSCP technique for β-LG typing. In the present study, we amplified and sequenced the part of promoter region and all the seven exons containing the entire coding and untranslated region for the β-lactoglobulin gene in best dairy goat breeds of India namely: Jamunapari and Jakhrana. Nine polymorphisms were detected, one in the l promoter region, four in the introns and four in the exons of the β-lactoglobulin gene. All polymorphisms were single nucleotide substitutions. The polymorphisms in the coding region did not produce any amino acid change.

1 MeV, 10 kW DC electron accelerator for industrial applications

Several modern applications of radiation processing like medical sterilization, rubber vulcanization, polymerization, cross-linking and pollution control from thermal power stations etc. require D.C. electron accelerators of energy ranging from a few hundred keVs to few MeVs and power from a few kilowatts to hundreds of kilowatts. To match these requirements, a 3 MeV, 30 kW DC electron linac has been developed at BARC, Mumbai and current operational experience of 1 MeV, 10 kW beam power will be described in this paper. The LINAC composed mainly of Electron Gun, Accelerating Tubes, Magnets, High Voltage source and provides 10 kW beam power at the Ti beam window stably after the scanning section. The control of the LINAC is fully automated. Here Beam Optics study is carried out to reach the preferential parameters of Accelerating as well as optical elements. Beam trials have been conducted to find out the suitable operation parameters of the system.

Automated qualification and analysis of protective spark gaps for DC accelerators

Protective spark gaps are used in the high voltage multiplier column of a 3 MeV DC Accelerator to prevent excessive voltage build-ups. Precise gap of 5 mm is maintained between the electrodes in these spark gaps for obtaining 120kV±5kV in 6kg/cm2 SF6 environment which is the dielectric medium. There are 74 such spark gaps used in the multiplier. Each spark gap has to be qualified for electrical performance before fitting in the accelerator to ensure reliable operation. As the breakdown voltage stabilizes after a large number of sparks between the electrodes, the qualification process becomes time consuming and cumbersome. For qualifying large number of spark gaps an automatic breakdown analysis setup has been developed. This setup operates in air, a dielectric medium. The setup consists of a flyback topology based high voltage power supply with maximum rating of 25 k V. This setup works in conjuction with spark detection and automated shutdown circuit. The breakdown voltage is sensed using a peak detector circuit. The voltage breakdown data is recorded and statistical distribution of the breakdown voltage has been analyzed. This paper describes details of the diagnostics and the spark gap qualification process based on the experimental data.

Optical signatures of discharges in parallel coupled DC accelerator

Parallel coupled voltage multiplier based accelerator topologies offer advantages of better regulation and ripple compared to their series coupled counterparts for Industrial electron beam accelerators. During conditioning and operation these systems undergoes various types of electrical discharges. The discharge can be a direct spark over from the high voltage terminal to ground through SF6 insulation, vacuum breakdown in the accelerating tube maintained in the order of 10-7 mbar pressure, or local discharge between corona guards which are used to couple RF power to the multiplier. There could be discharges in between dynodes of the accelerating tube. As the inter electrode discharges do not reflect in load current, detection of these conditions becomes very difficult. Optical discharge detection methods can be used effectively in this situation. Photo multiplier based optical discharge detection has been deployed in a 3 MeV DC accelerator. Characteristics of the optical signal received during conditioning phase have been presented in this paper.

Compact pulse transformer for 85 kV, 3.5 μs electron gun anode of compact X-ray Cargo scanner

Design of Compact and reliable 85 kV HV Pulse Transformer for Electron gun Anode pulsing is a major concern, when size and space are constraints. This paper describes design procedures and optimization of various parameters like HV insulation, step up ratio, rise time and flat top of Pulse transformer, operating with input from a 10 stage PFN of 50 ohm impedance and charged at 14 kV. The transformer should deliver rated output voltage of negative polarity 85 kV, 3 to 4 μs pulse width, less than 2 μs rise time and flat top within 10% across an electron gun load, equivalent to a parallel combination of 10 kQ and 200 pF load at a PRF of 250 Hz. Since the Cargo Scanner has to operate on movable carrier, this transformer is designed to operate even in the inclined positions. This transformer has given voltage step up, rise time and flat top of 13.75, 1.5 μs and 4.5% respectively for a 10 kQ and 200 pF load at 250 Hz PRF and also demonstrated operation in 900 tilted transformer positions. An effort has been put to achieve maintenance free Pulse transformer by providing effective sealing in the transformer tank to stop breathing action. Also, special flexing walls of transformer tank accommodate for small changes in volume of oil due to temperature variations.

H.V. support structure of 3MVDC generator and its protection from HV discharges in vacuum and SF6 gas for DC electron Accelerator

Accelerator and Pulse Power Division of BARC has developed a DC electron accelerator for cross linking of polymers, medical starilisation, preservation of food. The demonstration of stack-gas cleanup for green power generation has been demonstrated successfully. The support structure of the 3MVDC voltage generator is made of Perspex for high dielectric strength, easy availability of raw material, excellent radiation resistance and long term dimensional stability. This paper describes the salient design features of the High voltage support structure in brief.

Development of a 2 ns duration high current electron beam source using CsI coated carbon fibre cathode

A 50 ampere beam current having a rise time lesser than 500 pico-seconds with its energy 50 keV is generated using field emission mechanism. Beam duration was 2 ns. CsI coating on carbon fibre cathode was done using plasma spray coating. The results obtained from this cathode were compared to the carbon fibre cathode and the reason behind higher current density in the case of CsI coating has been explained.