Pulse power supply based on Marx-pulse transformer hybrid architecture with MOSFET-resistor-diode magnetic reset control method for dielectric barrier discharge application

Rev Sci Instrum. 2025 Jan 1;96(1):013504. doi: 10.1063/5.0237906.

Abstract

Nanosecond pulse power has many driving advantages in the dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) application field, including better discharge effect, higher discharge efficiency, and lower electrode temperature. A high-voltage pulse voltage power supply (HV-PVPS) with a multi-turn ratio linear pulse transformer (PT) based on Marx circuit and PT topologies are suitable for most DBD plasma applications with fewer expansion modules, lower cost, smaller volume, and higher reliability comparing with the all-solid-state Marx nanosecond pulse power supply. However, during the process of DBD driven by an HV-PVPS based on Marx and PT topologies, the PT is prone to magnetic core saturation, which limits the application for DBD. This paper proposes a novel MOSFET-resistor-diode (MRD) reset method based on the Marx switching control logic to solve the problem. Not only can this novel method solve the problem of magnetic core saturation but also can improve some critical parameters of the plasma discharge so that it enhances the strength of the discharge and augments the number of charged particles in the discharge space. This paper establishes a multi-module Marx-PT system model with an MRD magnetic reset branch. It proposes a control method for the model to improve the performance and efficiency of the system. Finally, a 15 kV HV-PVPS prototype is built to verify the effectiveness of the proposed MRD PT magnetic reset method. The average pulse power output of the whole prototype is greatly improved, and it can achieve an average pulse power output of 400 W. Furthermore, the electrode loads of different DBD reactors can be driven well.