Simulation and Analysis of Solid-state Switch-based High Voltage Pulse Power Supply Using Marx Generator

In this article, a solid-state switch-based high voltage (HV) nanosecond pulse power supply (PPS) using multi-stage Marx-generator circuits has been designed, simulated and analyzed. A nanosecond HV pulse generator finds applications in several fields, including plasma generation [1], [2], microwave [3], biomedical, etc. Conventionally, Marx generator-based nanosecond pulse generators use spark-gap switches for the pulse formation. However, the long gap recovery time of spark gap switches limits their use at low pulse repetition frequency (PRF) only. Further, with the advent of wide-bandgap semiconductor devices such as Silicon Carbide metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (SiC-MOSFET), which offers high breakdown voltage and fast dynamic response with negligible recovery period [1]. Therefore, multiple series connected solid-state switches based on multi-stage Marx-generator circuits have been designed, simulated and analyzed in this work, which can be useful for driving high-power microwave sources [4]. Each stage of the Marx generator comprises five series connected SiC MOSFETs and eight such stages of Marx generators are connected to generate the desired pulse voltages. A peak high voltage pulse of −20 kV with an on-time duration of 200 ns and PRF of 1 kHz has been simulated in MATLAB Simulink. The output pulse of PPS has been varied from −2 kV to −20 kV with variation in on-time from 200 ns to 600 ns. The pulse characteristics like fall time, rise time, and flatness have been analyzed and optimized. The system performance has been evaluated on different load types and loading levels. The proposed PPS system would be useful for the characterization of microwave tubes, plasma-based RF sources [1], [4], and other biomedical applications.