Design of pulsed power source driving flash X-ray diodes

Flash X-ray generator comprises a pulsed power driver and a diode. Pulse forming line (PFL) and transmission line are utilized to generate high voltage with several MV on diode, and the function of the latter is to compress the pulse rise time and match the impedance of PFL to diodes. Impedance and capacitance of these coaxial lines are calculated to get the highest voltage and certain pre-pulse on load, respectively. Configuration of diode insulators are designed based on radial grading rings, and the layout of a flash X-ray generator is proposed. The results show that a voltage of 4 MV is generated on 40 load when 2.6 MV and 3.3 MV voltage charging to immediate storage energy and PFL, respectively. Meanwhile the pre-pulse is about 1.2% of charging voltage to PFL.