A 2-MJ staged explosive generator

A self contained, three stage explosive generator is described. The system has produced 2 MJ of magnetic energy in a 40 nH load with a peak VI product of 0.2 TW. Current in the load rises from zero to peak value in 50 (SIGMA)s, the later part of the rise is approximately exponential with 10 (SIGMA)s e-fold time. Support equipment (power supply, initial energy capacitor bank, detonator firing units, delay generators, and Freon gas supply) can be protected from destructive effects of the explosive generators and reused.