A solid state induction modulator for SLAC NLC
The Next Linear Collider accelerator proposal at SLAC requires a high efficiency, highly reliable, and low cost pulsed-power modulator to drive the 500 KV, 260A X band klystrons. With a pulse width of less than 1.5 microseconds, it is difficult for the present SLAC type modulator with conventional pulse transformer to have a high efficiency due primarily to the inherently slow rise and fall time of the video pulse. The proposed induction modulator utilises a pulse transformer similar to an induction accelerator driven by solid state high voltage IGBTs. The performance of the IGBTs, induction cores and a low voltage model will be discussed as well as the design and construction of a prototype modulator capable of driving up to 8 of the X band klystrons.