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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2026

Gallium Arsenide Semiconductor Opening Switches: Enabling Nanosecond High Powering Pulsed Systems

The goal of this work awas to investigate design manufacturing semiconductor opening switches (SOS) in both silicon and gallium arsenide (GaAs). Solid-state opening switches are critical components for pulsed power systems and applications in directed energy, dielectric wall accelerators, and novel semiconductor manufacturing techniques. Under this funding, we have developed silicon SOS designs that suppresses an unwanted prepulse, increases the peak output voltage by about 10 percent, and reduces the pulse rise time by ~ 4x compared with more conventional profiles. Through this effort we have improved device fabrication and bonding techniques. Additionally, work on this the GaAs opening switch has defined a unique application space that these devices are suited for. GaAs opening switches have short risetimes and pulse widths compared to silicon devices, however the short carrier lifetime of GaAs makes the circuit design more challenging than in silicon. For high PRF operation, the lifetime of the GaAs is an advantage compared to silicon. TCAD simulations of GaAs devices have been used to optimize a GaAs profile. Additionally, we have designed pulsers with sub 50ns reserve pump times and tested GaAs COTs PIN diodes in them.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

High power pulse systems for surface processing

A high-power pulsed surface processing system includes insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) to replicate desirable pulse structures with high precision, at low cost, and with high reliability within a single system. The pulsed surface processing system includes a power supply, an anode and a cathode, a dual gate driver supplying power to one or more IGBT gates, and one or more capacitor banks. Pulse formation software controls the timing and duration of electrical pulses to the electrodes. A freewheeling diode protects the system from an abrupt reduction of current in the circuit. The high-power pulsed surface processing system may be used to control versatile and complex pulse structures while with precise control of instantaneous pulse powers, pulse timing, and process control. The inclusion of dual gate drivers also offers the ability for multiple pulsers to be created and “slaved” together for a wide variety of custom processes.

Tian, Hui↗
DOE OSTI2025

Automation of debris removal and resurfacing of insulators in terawatt pulsed power systems using state of the art laser technology

The increasing complexity and scale of pulsed power systems necessitate effective maintenance strategies to ensure optimal performance and safety. This report investigates the automation of debris removal and resurfacing of insulators in terawatt pulsed power systems using advanced laser cleaning technologies. The motivation for this research stems from the limitations of current manual cleaning methods, which are labor-intensive and pose health risks due to hazardous materials. The study addresses the problem of surface flashover, a significant issue affecting insulator performance, by evaluating two innovative cleaning techniques: Pulsed Laser Cleaning (PLC) and Flash Lamp Annealing (FLA). Experimental results demonstrate that PLC effectively restores the dielectric strength of Rexolite insulators, while FLA shows limited success. The findings highlight the potential for automated cleaning solutions to enhance safety and efficiency in insulator maintenance, paving the way for future advancements in pulsed power technology.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2021

Interposed pulsed power system for fast separation of radioactive beams

This paper presents the novel design of an interposed pulsed power system, developed to drive a fast-switching magnet with a large multi-mH load inductance, and high field amplitude (> 1 T). This modulator can produce variable flat-top pulses from 1 to 30 ms with rise and fall times of less than 0.5 ms at a variable duty cycle of 3–91% into a heavily inductive load. The system employs a novel over-voltage topology to overcome the inherent inductance and achieve the fast rise and fall times, switching to a precision DC supply to efficiently maintain the flattop without requiring many-kV voltage. We present a power source design consideration, including the results of computer modeling as well as the first experimental results of a modulator scaled test model will also be presented.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2025

Pulsed Magnet Power Systems at NSLS-II

The National Synchrotron Light Source - II (NSLS-II) is a 3 GeV X-ray user facility with 29 beamlines. The NSLS-II pulsed power system consists of an event generator for timely injection and extraction of beam in the transport line from linac to booster at 170 MeV, and from booster to storage ring at 3 GeV. We will discuss current pulsed power systems and the future upgrades/improvements on those systems.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
DOE OSTI2020

A parametric SPICE model for the simulation of spark gap switches

The use of SPICE-based software for the simulation of pulsed power systems—even large complex systems—has become commonplace in the pulsed power community. This is in contrast to earlier work in the field that relied on specially developed simulation codes such as Sandia’s Screamer or the Navy Research Lab’s Bertha, which natively incorporated models for common pulsed power components such as spark gap switches. Unlike these programs, SPICE programs provide a simple and familiar user interface and wide availability. However, SPICE programs do not include realistic models for key pulsed power circuit devices—including the spark gap switch. While simple switch models do exist in SPICE programs, these can only crudely approximate the behavior of a spark gap. This effort focuses on developing an SPICE circuit model for a gas-filled spark gap switch that is physically realistic while being simple enough to permit simulations to run in reasonable times on typical personal computers. Detailed information is provided for implementation in two common versions of SPICE: LTspice and Orcad PSPICE. Adaptation to other SPICE programs is possible with minimal modification. The model is intended as a design tool that uses physical parameters as inputs to connect it directly to the development of useable pulsed power systems. Data collected from the operation of a high-pressure pulsed-charged switch and a complete 12-stage Marx generator have been used to demonstrate the implementation and accuracy of the model over a wide range of parameters.

Pouncey, J. Cameron (ORCID:0000000153500816)↗
DOE OSTI2020

Power Flow Spectroscopy Diagnostics & Platform Development at the Z Pulsed Power Facility

Large pulsed power accelerators deliver multi-MJ pulses of electrical energy to a variety of high energy density (HED) physics experiments that support stockpile science programs. Understanding the plasma formation mechanisms and resulting electrical power transport (or "power flow") in the vacuum magnetically insulated transmission lines (MITLs) is an important area of ongoing research, and could provide a means to improve the performance of today's pulsed power accelerators while improving confidence in the design options for next-generation pulsed power concepts. Power flow science has been studied for decades, but these studies have not provided a predictive understanding of plasma formation and expansion in MITL systems. Several recent factors in pulsed power system design have generated a renewed (and urgent) interest in developing validated, multi-physics power flow engineering models with increased scrutiny and understanding. Examples of these factors include (i) the use of high inductance experimental configurations that could increase current "loss", (ii) interest in long-pulse applications that require predictable pulse shapes, and (iii) the desire to develop a deeper understanding of how current loss phenomena scale to larger accelerator configurations. This work is directed to support the validation of multi-physics power flow engineering models required to realize pulsed power systems for the NNSA mission.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Reducing Methane Emissions with an Engine Fuel Reformer

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) designed and demonstrated a compact, plasma-based fuel reformer designed to reduce methane leaks from natural-gas engines used in pipeline compression and industrial power applications. The system uses pulsed electrical discharges to convert a small portion of methane (CH4) into hydrogen (H2) and light hydrocarbons, promoting more complete combustion and reducing unburned methane in the exhaust. The reformer was evaluated through bench-scale testing, high-flow facility testing, and engine-integration testing on representative low-speed and high-speed natural-gas engines. Measured methane-leak reductions ranged from 1 to 27 percent, depending on engine type and operating condition, while reformer energy consumption remained below one percent of total engine output. Design refinements addressed thermal and electrical challenges, resulting in reliable operation with minimal impact on engine control systems. The project achieved all performance objectives within budget and schedule, produced a patentable pulsed-power system design, and established a scalable, energy-efficient pathway for mitigating methane leaks from existing natural-gas engine infrastructure.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Commissioning of a modulated pulse-power magnetron sputtering system for depositing niobium thin films

A modulated pulse-power magnetron sputtering system (MPPMS) was commissioned and used to deposit niobium on copper. MPPMS utilizes a modulated pulse train with high peak-to-average energy ratios, thereby increasing the energy density leading to the production of the energetic ions. The MPPMS modulator was designed and constructed based on large voltage/current IGBT modules, which can be externally modulated, produce bi-polar waveforms, and are readily available. A high voltage power supply provides moderate current to the IGBT module to create the precise pulse structure. The MPPMS system was used to deposit ~1 mm thick, niobium film on a copper substrate held at ~77 K to minimize Nb atom surface diffusion and maximize intrinsic film energy. Finally, the Nb film had an average grain size of ~8 nm.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2020

Experimental determination of the thermal, turbulent, and rotational ion motion and magnetic field profiles in imploding plasmas

A tutorial is presented on advances in spectroscopic diagnostic methods developed for measuring key plasma properties in pulsed-power systems such as Z-pinches, magnetized-plasma compression devices, ion and electron diodes, and plasma switches. The parameters measured include the true ion temperature in Z-pinch implosions, which led to a discovery that much of the ion kinetic energy at stagnation is stored in hydrodynamic rather than in thermal motion. This observation contributed a new important insight into the understanding of the ion thermalization at stagnation and stimulated further investigations of turbulence at stagnation, discussed here too. The second part of this tutorial is devoted to the development of measurements for magnetic-field distributions in Z-pinches and in other pulsed-power systems, as well as their use in studying the plasma dynamics, resistivity, and pressure and energy balance. The latter study raises intriguing questions on the implosion process. In particular, in Z-pinches, the current during stagnation was found to largely flow at relatively large radii, outside the stagnation region. The magnetic-field measurements also enable investigations into the compression of a pre-magnetized cylindrical plasma that uncover striking phenomena related to the current flow, where the current was found to redistribute toward the outer regions during the implosion. Observation of the rotation of the magnetized plasma is also discussed. Lastly, experimental and theoretical investigations of a non-diffusive fast penetration of magnetic field into a low-density plasma, including its effect on the plasma dynamics, are described

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗