I have kept on making space in my lab for new projects, and came across 3 new-old-stock Marx generator modules that were made for the Fexitron and Febetron flash X-ray sources and electron accelerators. The Fexitron and Febetron devices were made in the 1970s by the Field Emission Corporation, a division of HP, which is now L-3 Pulse Sciences.
Each module contains two complete 30 kV Marx stages. In the Febetron/Fexitron pulsers, modules were stacked to form Marx generators of up to 2.3MV output. The spark gap distance is adjustable. These modules are designed for use under 20-70 psi air or nitrogen.
My intention was to build a 180 kV fast Marx with these, so I had reverse-engineered the schematic for these modules. I’m putting it here in case that someone is interested.
The following are interesting links related to Fexitron/Febetron units:
- The Hofstra Group used to carry them. They probably can still repair them.
- Picture of a 1200 MW flash x-ray tube made for the Fexitron. Beam volume was 3.5 cc (600 kV, 2000 amps, 0.2 µs).
- Febetron information from RPI.
- Field Emission Corp patent: Fexitron Febetron Marx Generator Patent US3783289