Abstract: The device is a compact Marx-type generator capable of producing a high-vage burst of pulses having risetimes less than 10 nanoseconds at repetition rates up to 10 kHz. High-pressure hydrogen switches are used as the switching elements to achieve high rep-rate. A small coaxial design provides low inductance and a fast risetime. The device may be used as a high-rep-rate high-voltage trigger generator, or as a high-voltage pulse source capable of producing up to 1 MV pulses at high repetition rates.

Abstract: The intrinsic time constant .tau. of liquids is measured directly by using he apparatus of the present invention termed a "taumeter". The taumeter impresses a predetermined voltage, level between a pair of electrode immersed in the liquid to be measured. The taumeter then measures the time it takes for the foregoing voltage to decay from a predetermined value V.sub.A to a predetermined value V.sub.B. Comparator logic produces a gate pulse having a leading edge at a time T.sub.A corresponding to the occurrance of the predetermined voltage V.sub.A and a trailing edge at a time T.sub.B corresponding to the occurrance of the predetermined voltage V.sub.B. The gate pulse is used to gate a system counter which counts the zero crossings of a very accurate system clock to determine the intrinsic time constant of the liquid. The foregoing pulsing is repeated as determined by a duty cycle generator.