7th International Conference on Matter and Radiation at Extremes (ICMRE2024)

Recently, research on solid state modulators using power semiconductor switches in pulsed power applications are increasing.
Compared to traditional switch usage, the solid-state modulator has advantages such as easy voltage control, no limitations on lifespan, high repetition rate, and high-efficiency operation, allowing the compact modulator realization and Its uses are gradually increasing, especially in applications that require relatively low average power and high repetition rates.
However, series stacking is still required to generate high-voltage pulses due to limitations of the switch voltage rating and it needs careful consideration to design the modulator to have a reliability in switch protection when arcing occurs. Also, there are still lot of difficulty to make a modulator having narrow pulse width with a fast-rising pulse.
In this paper, unique solid-state modulators developed at KERI and Chung-Ang University during the last 20 years and its application to the medicine, industry, and defense are introduced. The developed solid-state modulator has advantages of high-power density and great performance with protections in the event of an arc, and the reliability and effectiveness of the developed solid-state modulator were verified through various application studies.

solid state modulator,pulse power application,power electronics