A 27.12-MHz 10-kV Power Amplifier for Compact Particle Accelerators Utilizing an Optimized

This paper introduces a 27.12-MHz 10-kV switch-mode power amplifier suitable for propelling ion beams in compact particle accelerators. Ion beams are accelerated to high energy levels by passing them through a series of acceleration cells driven by large high-frequency ac voltages. These high voltages are generated by utilizing power amplifiers that comprise a full-bridge inverter and a high-gain matching network. A matching network topology is proposed that reduces the current stress on the inverter transistors, increasing the amplifier’s thermal reliability, especially during high frequency operation. Power amplifiers based on the proposed matching network also achieve lower overall losses compared to previously presented power amplifiers. A comprehensive methodology is presented for the design of the proposed matching network that minimizes the overall losses in the power amplifier while ensuring soft-switching of the inverter transistors. A 27.12-MHz prototype power amplifier with a matching network designed using the proposed approach is demonstrated to generate up to 10 kV output voltage while maintaining the inverter losses within a desired limit.