A new approach to ultra-high power pulsed technology, applicable to radiation test simulation, is presented. It is based on the development of one terawatt (1 tW) pulsed power generator modules. These modules can be charged in air and use only solid state components. They are switched by laser-activated closing switches. The resulting modules are extremely compact and, utilizing a single stage of switching and a double transit of transmission line capacitors, are highly efficient, over 60%. The units are sized to drive megavolt range loads for hard x-ray generation this program will be directed at designing and testing all aspects of this technical approach and in designing and building reduced scale prototype units.
