A reliable dual Blumlein device Available to Purchase

In this article, we describe the 500 kV, 100 kA (each arm) GEMINI dual Blumlein accelerator at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory. Novel isolation, trigger, and trigger timing techniques are utilized in this device in order to allow two Blumleins to be charged by one Marx generator, and discharged at different times. The timing circuits are unique in that they make use of saturable magnetic circuits to provide the relative timing of the two outputs. We demonstrate that this technique is reliable, reproducible, and straightforward. We isolate the two Blumlein switches using an inductor wound so that it has minimal inductance when both Blumleins are charging, but maximum inductance when one is fired and the second Blumlein is delayed. Utilization of this technique allows us to isolate the two Blumleins without using resistive isolation with its associated energy loss, or simple inductive isolation with the associated cost in increasing the water line charge time. Complete operational and design data is presented, along with detailed data from the switch trigger arms.