High Voltage Multipliers

High Voltage Multipliers

High voltage multipliers are electronic circuits designed to generate high DC voltages from low voltage AC or DC sources. They are commonly used in various applications such as cathode ray tubes, X-ray machines, particle accelerators, and high voltage power supplies. The basic principle behind high voltage multipliers is the voltage multiplication achieved by the series connection of diodes and capacitors. The simplest form of a high voltage multiplier is the Cockcroft-Walton multiplier, which uses a ladder-like arrangement of diodes and capacitors to generate a high DC voltage. The input voltage is first rectified using a diode and then fed into the ladder network, where each stage multiplies the voltage by a factor of two. The output voltage can be several times higher than the input voltage, depending on the number of stages used. Other types of high voltage multipliers include the Villard cascade multiplier, Greinacher multiplier, and Marx generator. The Villard cascade multiplier uses a similar ladder network as the Cockcroft-Walton multiplier, but with an additional transformer to step up the input voltage. The Greinacher multiplier uses a voltage doubler circuit followed by a Cockcroft-Walton multiplier. The Marx generator is a type of pulse generator that uses a series of capacitors and spark gaps to generate high voltage pulses. High voltage multipliers are designed to operate at high frequencies and high voltages, and therefore require careful design and construction to ensure reliable and safe operation. They are commonly used in high voltage power supplies for industrial and scientific applications, as well as in specialized equipment such as particle accelerators and X-ray machines.

electronic circuits, voltage multiplication, diodes, capacitors, Cockcroft-Walton multiplier

— David Jones

CITATION : "David Jones. 'High Voltage Multipliers.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=352297 (Accessed on July 07, 2025)"