- By:
- Bullman, Austin J; Tan, Yugang
- Book Title:
- 2025 IEEE Pulsed Power & Plasma Science (PPPS)
- Publication Date:
- March 12, 2026
- Conference Name:
- 2025 IEEE Pulsed Power & Plasma Science (PPPS)
- Conference Location:
- Berlin, Germany
- Conference Sponsor:
- IEEE
- View DOI Listing:
- https://doi.org/10.1109/PPPS56198.2025.11248775
Abstract
Solid-state switches already replaced thyratrons in the SNS extraction kicker power supplies, offering improved efficiency and reliability. However, recent supply chain disruptions, combined with a self-firing issue, led us to explore alternative solutions. A vendor-developed MOS-Gated Thyristor switch was introduced but ultimately failed during testing. To investigate the failure and assess possible improvements, a benchtop test stand was constructed to evaluate the performance of a single stage board. This test stand features a Pulse Forming Network (PFN) that operates at 6 kV and 6 kA, with a repetition rate exceeding 60 Hz, simulating real operational conditions. By utilizing this setup, we seek to gain a better understanding of the failure mechanisms, refine the switch designs, and ultimately develop a more reliable alternative for the extraction kicker power supplies.
