Fast Thermal Depolarization of Ferroelectrics for Repetitive High-Voltage Pulses with Nanosecond Rise Times

High-voltage pulse generators are critical for high-power microwave (HPM) sources, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) testing, and pulsed-power research. Traditional ferroelectric-based systems are either destructive or limited by slow rise times and low repetition rates. We demonstrate a non-destructive, repetitive generator utilizing fast thermal depolarization (FTPD) of ferroelectric materials, achieving pulses with rise times of 1–4 ns, amplitudes up to 800 kV, and repetition rates of 0.1–10 Hz. The system integrates polarized ferroelectric elements with rapid heating (10^3–10^4 °C/s), ultra-fast spark-gap switches, and active cooling in a liquid dielectric medium. Experimental validation demonstrates efficient coupling to virtual cathode oscillators (vircators), enabling stable microwave generation at >10 GHz with power levels of 100–500 MW. This approach overcomes limitations of prior art by enabling precise control of the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition through sub-millisecond heating regimes, offering a scalable, safe alternative for industrial, scientific, and defense applications.