The Ten-Year Evolution of a High-Power Magnet Driver

Eagle Harbor Technologies, Inc. (EHT) initially began the development of high current solid-state switching topologies over a decade ago. Since then EHT has developed multiple solid-state power systems for use in applications ranging from fusion energy science to medical devices. The Integrated Power Module is a high current switch was first developed in 2008 as part of an DOE Fusion Science SBIR program for solid state inductive current driving. This switch is capable of continuous operation at several kilowatt output powers and pulsed operation at MW peak powers. Since the early development, this power system has undergone several major upgrades including the addition of heat sinking to allow for continuous wave (CW) operation. Here we will present the evolution of the system design over the last decade. We will also present capabilities ranging from single pulse characteristics; high-frequency, high current switching, and CW operation.