Kevin Zhou — Advanced E&M III Problem 3 · Kevin Zhou #E7.3
Physics · electromagnetism
Problem
Problem 1. The setup below at left is called the Cockcroft–Walton voltage multiplier. It was used
in 1932 to power the first particle accelerator.
The four capacitors begin uncharged, and all have capacitance C. All four diodes are ideal. The
voltage V (t) alternates between V and −V. The output voltage is V .
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(a) To warm up, consider the simpler setup shown at right above. Suppose the applied voltage
V begins at −V. Describe how V changes each time the applied voltage switches sign.
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(b) Now consider the full setup, shown at left above. After a long time, what is V ?
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