High power pulse generators for fast pulsed magnets: developments and operational experience

The paper describes in its first part the design of a prototype pulse generator for the new inflector of the CERN SPS. After a short explanation of the future SPS injection scheme, the electrical and mechanical design is treated in detail. The generator, equipped with 3 double ended ceramic thyratrons, is de.signed for a short pulse rise time and low pulse to pulse jitter. The paper presents furthermore the developments and the operational experience with 4 fast pulsed magnet systems, which contain 29 high voltage thyratrons and 48 ignitrons and which are since 1976 in continuous operation in the SPS. The pulse modulators of these systems generate quasi rectangular pulses of up to 10 kA, 30 kV amplitudes and up to 25 µs duration with a pulse repetition time of 1 to 10 s. The power switches are double ended ceramic thyratrons,some of which are by-passed by 3 ignitroris in series.