Even at small dimensions of less than 0.5 meter in length end-initiated
helical magnetic flux compression generators (MFCG) have at least one order
of magnitude higher energy density (by weight or volume) than capacitive
energy storage with similar discharge time characteristics. However, simple
MFCGs with a single helix produce high output energy only into low inductance
loads, thus producing several 100 kA of current at a voltage level of less
than 10 kV. Many pulsed power devices require less current but a considerably
higher voltage level. For effectively driving a high inductance load of
several μH, a multistage MFCG design has been suggested. We successfully
tested a dual stage MFCG with a total length of 250 mm, a helix inner
diameter of 51 mm, which is wound with Teflon insulated stranded wire of
different sizes in the range from AWG 12 to AWG 22. We have presently
achieved an energy gain of ~ 13 into a 3 μH load and will discuss
the generator performance based on experimental current/voltage waveforms and
specify the observed losses.