The Proposed CEM-UT 50-MJ Pulsed Homopolar Generator Power Supply

Abstract

The Center for Electromechanics at the University of Texas at Austin (CEM-UT) has been involved since 1972 both in the development of homopolar generators (HPGs) as pulsed power supplies and in the application of these power supplies to a variety of loads. We have proposed that a 50-MJ HPG system be built as an experimental power supply for future CEM-UT research and development. This system will be part of a new research facility UT plans to build for CEM-UT at the UT Balcones Research Center. Originally the machine was to be a modified version of the 50-MJ HPG designed to power the UT Texas Experimental Tokamak (TEXT). However, recent developments by CEM-UT indicate that a modular approach offers greater performance flexibility. The attractiveness of modular construction is particularly en- hanced by the concurrent develop