Kenneth E. Miller

High power microwave generation with nonlinear transmission lines

Summary form only given. Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc. (EHT) is investigating the generation of high power microwaves using the EHT Nanosecond Pulser (NSP) and nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs). The EHT NSP provides independent control of the output voltage (20 kV), pulse width (20-200 ns), and pulse repetition frequency (up to 100 kHz) and is used to drive two different NLTLs. The gyromagnetic NLTL produces RF around 2 GHz. EHT has constructed a test setup including solenoid for producing an axial field. Experimental results, including RF measurements with a D-dot probe, will be presented. The second NLTL is based on the nonlinear properties of high voltage, Schottky diodes and produces RF at a lower frequency. Rise time sharpening and RF experimental data and modeling results will be presented.

Isolated, high voltage arbirtary pulse generator

Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc. has developed an Arbitrary Pulse Generator (APG) with isolated high voltage output. The EHT APG can produce output pulses with voltages up to 10 kV and fast rise time (100 ns) at high pulse repetition frequency (up to 100 kHz) with a user-adjustable duty cycle from 0-100%. The isolated output allows the pulse generator to be connected to loads that need to be biased. These pulser generators utilize modern silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, which offer lower switching and conduction losses while allowing for higher switching frequency capabilities compared to IGBTs. This pulse generator has applications for RF plasma heating; inductive and arc plasma sources; magnetron driving; and generation of arbitrary pulses at high voltage, high current, and high pulse repetition frequency in the semiconductor processing, non-equilibrium plasma source, and material processing communities.

High voltage, fast rise nanosecond pulsers

Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc. (EHT) has developed a series of high voltage nanosecond pulsers that allow the user to independently adjust the output voltage, pulse width, and pulse repetition frequency. Recent results demonstrate the ability to produce 80 kV pulses with rise times down to 18 ns and a full width half maximum (FWHM) pulse width down to 20 ns. Additionally, versions of these pulsers have the capability to drive low impedance loads (25 Ω) with 11 ns rise time. These pulsers have been used for non-equilibrium plasma production for surface sterilization, surface modification, nonlinear transmission driving for high power microwave production, as well as other aerospace and biomedical applications.

A high voltage nanosecond pulser with variable pulse width and pulse repetition frequency control for nonequilibrium plasma applications

Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc. (EHT) is developing a high voltage nanosecond pulser capable of generating non-equilibrium plasmas, including dielectric barrier discharges, pseudospark discharges, and liquid plasma discharges for plasma medicine, material science, enhanced combustion, drag reduction, and other research applications. EHT nanosecond pulsers are capable of producing high voltage (up to 60 kV) pulses (width 20 - 500 ns) with fast rise times (<; 10 ns) at high pulse repetition frequency (adjustable up to 100 kHz) for continuous operation. The pulser does not require the use of saturable core magnetics, which allows for the output voltage, pulse width, and pulse repetition frequency to be independently adjustable, enabling researchers to explore non-equilibrium plasmas over a wide range of parameters. A magnetic compression stage can be added to improve the rise time and drive lower impedance loads without sacrificing high pulse repetition frequency operation.

An IGBT integrated power module for configurable series/parallel operation at high power and frequency

Summary form only given. Eagle Harbor Technologies (EHT) has developed a modular solid state power supply based on IGBT technology which can support a wide array of applications. The EHT Integrated Power Module (IPM) incorporates fast gate drive technology, high voltage isolation (~ 30 kV), fiber optic control, and optional crowbar diodes into a single unit. Modules are designed for pulsed/burst operation at frequencies up to 2 MHz. For a 10 ms 100 kHz pulse width modulated (PWM) burst, the modules have a nominal 1 kV at 2.5 kA output. Currents up to 10 kA can be switched for shorter periods. The modules can be stacked in series and/or parallel arrangements as needed to obtain higher voltages and currents. The EHT IPM utilizes off the shelf IGBTs that reduce cost while allowing a great deal of flexibility for output voltage, current, switching frequency and efficiency by simply choosing the correct IGBTs for the desired application.

High gain and frequency ultra-stable integrators for long pulse and/or high current applications

Inductive pickup loops are one of the primary magnetic diagnostics used in modern fusion and pulsed power concepts. To convert the direct voltage measurements from the inductive pickup loop to a measurement of magnetic field or current, the loop voltage must be integrated. Several factors make the integration difficult, especially for long-pulse applications requiring integrator stability for operational timescales from seconds to hours.