A petawatt pulsed-power accelerator can be driven by various types of
electrical-pulse generators, including conventional Marx generators and
linear-transformer drivers. The pulsed-power accelerator can be
configured to drive an electrical load from one- or two-sides. Various
types of loads can be driven; for example, the accelerator can be used to
drive a high-current z-pinch load. When driven by slow-pulse generators
(e.g., conventional Marx generators), the accelerator comprises an oil
section comprising at least one pulse-generator level having a plurality
of pulse generators; a water section comprising a pulse-forming circuit
for each pulse generator and a level of monolithic triplate
radial-transmission-line impedance transformers, that have variable
impedance profiles, for each pulse-generator level; and a vacuum section
comprising triplate magnetically insulated transmission lines that feed
an electrical load. When driven by LTD generators or other fast-pulse
generators, the need for the pulse-forming circuits in the water section
can be eliminated.