Trigger method based on secondary induced overvoltage for linear transformer drivers

In this paper, a triggering method based on secondary induced overvoltage for a linear transformer driver (LTD) is proposed and investigated by simulation. A detailed circuit model established for the LTD is chosen to study the effect of some factors on the feasibility of this triggering method. The considered factors include the permeability, equivalent resistance of energy loss, saturation of magnetic cores, and the delay of gas switches in LTD cavities. Simulation results indicate that high equivalent resistance and high permeability of magnetic cores are helpful in realizing this trigger method. However, the resistance plays a leading role. An equivalent resistance of more than 1.5 \Omega favors the realization of this trigger. However, a relative permeability of even 25 has not produced a fatal menace to this triggering method. The feasibility of this triggering necessitates the available volt-second product of the present magnetic cores to be expanded twice. As for gas switches, the interval given by secondary induced overvoltage would likely be long enough to complete their breakdown. From simulation results, it is shown that LTD switches could be rapidly closed under the action of such an overvoltage pulse with a rise time of less than 10 ns.