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Has anyone here ever chatted about a diode cascade? I asked ChatGPT a bit about it yesterday and got some interesting answers.
The voltage at the output increases while maintaining the same input-output current. Since P=U*I, theoretically, a higher power output is possible at the output compared to the input. With a stepped cascade of 12V 12mA input, one could achieve several watts of gain.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltage_multiplier
Have I overlooked something?


ChatGPT Part:
The voltage at the output increases while maintaining the same input current. Since P=U*I, theoretically, a higher power output would be possible at the output compared to the input. With a stepped cascade of 12V 12mA input, one could achieve several watts of gain.
If energy from the surroundings is introduced into the system, similar to how a heat pump works, this could explain the increased power output.

But how to "introduce " energy from surroundings to it?

Don Smith also has schematics of several voltage multipliers in his papers.

(11-11-2024, 11:51 AM)Andy Wrote: [ -> ]But how to "introduce " energy from surroundings to it?

Don Smith also has schematics of several voltage multipliers in his papers.

I assume that some energy is coming from outside due to the principles.
let's think about where that energy might come from.
As a child, I experimented with high-voltage cascades, and I noticed that they became cooler at certain points.
That might be the gain.

Regarding the theory:
The available current (A) remains the same at the input and output of the diode cascade.
ChatGPT confirmed this for me.

An Example.
Let's say we have 12V voltage with a current of 120mA as an example.
Cascade Input: 12V 120mA Formula: P = U * I , 1.44W = 12V * 120mA
Cascade Output: 64V 120mA Formula: P = U * I , 5.52W = 64V * 120mA
Therefore the gain is = 4.08W
Of course, one must also consider the leakage currents of the diodes and the thermal losses in the model.
Am I making a logical error with ChatGPT?

The same current at the beginning and at the end is internesting thing. I assumed that when voltage goes up, current goes down. If not in this case (in this multiplier), it sounds interesting. I know that ChatGPT sometimes talks nonsense. I am open to this new idea. I will also try to search in this direction.
Andy

Edit: I asked ChatGPT about it and here is the answer:
"In a voltage multiplier circuit, like the Cockcroft-Walton multiplier or others, the voltage indeed increases at each stage while the available current decreases."

Thanks for checking.
As you said, chat GPT is sometimes not entirely trustworthy

(11-11-2024, 04:00 PM)Andy Wrote: [ -> ]The same current at the beginning and at the end is internesting thing. I assumed that when voltage goes up, current goes down. If not in this case (in this multiplier), it sounds interesting. I know that ChatGPT sometimes talks nonsense. I am open to this new idea. I will also try to search in this direction.
Andy

Edit: I asked ChatGPT about it and here is the answer:
"In a voltage multiplier circuit, like the Cockcroft-Walton multiplier or others, the voltage indeed increases at each stage while the available current decreases."