Repetitive Marx generator for HPM

A Marx generator is a device for capacitive electric energy storage and pulse compression suitable for pulsed microwave sources. This report describes initial tests performed with a repetitive Marx generator situated at FOI Weapons and Protection at Grindsjön Research Centre. A description of the Marx generator and the present experimental setup is given, followed by initial test results and simulations to characterize the system. Repetitive operation of an HPM-weapon is very interesting due to the accumulative effects that several HPM-pulses within a short time interval can have on target electronics. To achieve generation of repetitive HPM pulses both the radiation source and the high voltage pulse generator must fulfil a number of criteria, such as short recovery time after a pulse and small performance degradation between consecutive pulses. For a single-shot HPM weapon the voltage pulse may be allowed to have a much longer duration than the radiation pulse and the charging/recharging of the intermediate voltage storage may be performed at low power, but high repetition rates require much shorter charge/discharge cycles and high power charging.