A Small Portable High Frequency Bipolar Pulse Generator Driven by One Signal Without Insulation Power Supply for Plasma Applications

High frequency bipolar nanosecond pulse (HFBNP) is a viable option for plasma application with high discharging efficiency and uniformity. Generally, insulation power supply (IPS) between high floating potential of multiple switches with multiple driving signals are key issues to generate HFBNPs with small volume. Moreover, high voltage gain of output/input is also a key technical requirement for miniaturized DBD pulse generator. This paper proposes a novel all-solid state HFBNP generator with high voltage gain and small volume, which is driven by one signal without high voltage IPS. The designed pulse circuit consists of one storage inductor, two switches, and one transformer. The mathematical analysis on voltage gain and pulse symmetry was employed for selection of circuit parameters. Finally, an experimental prototype powered by lithium batteries is built with a small volume of 17 cm×8 cm×5.5 cm (L×W×H) to output bipolar pulses with ±10 kV (pulse circuit: 11.5 cm×4.3 cm×3 cm). The voltage gain could reach over 2000, while the ratio of transformer is only 10:120. The rise time of pulse is less than 300 ns. The discharging frequency could reach 10 kHz. The designed pulse generator needs only one driving signal to control two switches for HFBNP generation. It is also not necessary to design IPS with high voltage withstand, since two switches shared same ground, which contribute to significantly design small portable bipolar pulse generator. The designed miniaturized, portable HFBNP generator with small volume powered by batteries could be also connected in series or parallel to output enough large power, then benefit for plasma applications.