The Importance of Ceramics in Pulsed Power Applications

Abstract : During the first annual review of the Compact Pulsed Power MURI program, Dr. Malcolm Buttram (Sandia National Laboratories) commented that "A revolution in pulsed power requires the following: (1) high strength, high dielectric constant, and high frequency components; (2) Architectures that reduce the number of compression stages; (3) Better switching; (4) Diagnostics, including nondestructive testing and active prognostics; and (5) Modularity. This presentation contains the following sections: Introduction to the Compact, Portable Pulsed Power MURI Program; Quick tutorial on pulsed power, our interest in it, and its academic foundation; Our particular interest in pulsed power -- compact drivers for HPM; Where ceramics can provide important advances in compact pulsed power for HPM; and Conclusions -- How can we work together?