Effect of cavity-triggering sequences on output parameters of LTD-based drivers

This paper explores the feasibility of improving the load current parameters by optimizing the cavity-triggering sequences for a linear transformer driver (LTD) module with 60 cavities connected in series. The mechanism behind this was analyzed. The results demonstrate that it is necessary for the improvement in the output parameters of the LTD to postpone the closure of the switches in the cavities later than the arrival of the electromagnetic pulse propagating downstream. However, this requires the switches to withstand pulsed voltages higher than their charge voltage before closing. When the LTD switches withstood a pulsed voltage peak of about 400 kV for several tens of nanoseconds before closing, the LTD module could generate a current pulse with a rise time of 12.5 ns and a peak of 1340 kA on the matched load.