Control system for the HADES Pulsed Power Driver and Diagnostics

The High Amperage Driver for Extreme States (HADES) at the University of Rochester is a pulsed power driver which utilizes Linear Transformer Driver technology for the study of plasmas and warm dense matter in a laboratory setting. HADES requires a robust control system in order to oversee the machine's status; monitor switch triggering; coordinate diagnostic timing; and maintain ancillary systems such as oil circulation and vacuum. To achieve this end, we use 22-bit pulse generators to provide delays on the nanosecond scale, Pulse Width Modulators (PWMs) to control charging voltage, and Analog-to-Digital Convertors (ADCs) to monitor capacitor voltage. In addition, we use fiber optics to send and receive information to reduce the signal to noise ratio for all monitored systems. We will give an overview of each of the different control systems utilized, as well as discuss the design and implementation process. We extend this design to the system controlling a Thomson scattering diagnostic.