Optimization of the gas SF6-N2 mixture composition in a high-power nanosecond bipolar voltage generator

The nanosecond bipolar high-voltage pulse generators using an array of spark gaps in compressed gases show a decrease in efficiency with increasing load current. To increase the efficiency, it has been proposed [1] to use mixtures of gases of high and low electric strength. A numerical simulation performed for a mixture of SF6 and N-2 using the numerical simulation described in [1] has shown the possibility to optimize the generator operation. To determine the gas mixture parameters, such as alpha/p, n/p, and V-d, the Boltzmann equation was solved. The spark gap switching was described in terms of the Rompe-Weitzel model. It has been predicted that the efficiency of the generator operation with an SF6-N-2 mixture can be increased by a factor of 1.5 as compared to that with N-2.