X-pinch experiments with pulsed power generator (PPG-1) at Tsinghua University

The test on an X-pinch device powered by a pulsed power generator (PPG-I) was carried out step by step. In the first step, a brass rod of 6 mm in diameter was used as a load to replace the X-pinch load. The results of the first step shows that all the current, about 200 kA in amplitude, output from PPG-I flows through the load and no breakdown or flashover in vacuum of the load section happens. The waveform of the current from PPG-I measured with a wall resistor coincides exactly with that of the load current measured with a Rogowski coil, which indicates that the calibrations of the wall resistor and Rogowski coil are correct. In the second step, an X-pinch load made of two molybdenum wires of 40 µm in diameter was used. It was found that the distance between the cathode and anode affects considerably the operation of the device. While breakdown in vacuum happens for the distance equal to 30 mm, it works very well for the distance equal to 16 mm. The reason for this phenomenon was given.