Development of a load current multiplier on a ten-stage linear-transformer-driver module

Load current multipliers (LCMs) were anticipated to enhance the energy and current coupling efficiency from the pulsed power drivers to low-impedance loads without significant modifications to pulsed power drivers. An LCM was designed and tested on a ten-stage linear transformer driver (LTD) module. The experimental results indicated that the short-circuit current of the LTD module was increased from 512 to 866 kA with the implementation of the LCM, indicating a current multiplication gain of 1.69, was obtained. The relationship of the LCM current multiplication coefficient depending on the load inductance, post-hole convolute parameters, and LTD output power was investigated, showing that the LCM current multiplication coefficient was dominated by the load inductance. When the LTD-LCM system was used to drive planar wire array loads, a current multiplication gain of 1.25 was achieved.