A power supply for an ion engine comprises a multiphase alternator and a
power converter comprising a voltage multiplier coupled to each phase of
the alternator. Each voltage multiplier comprises one or more staged
voltage doublers. The alternator phases may be coupled to each other in a
Y configuration such that no common return line is required, and each
phase of the alternator provides equal amounts of constant power in a
balanced, sequential flow. The converter corrects for the alternator's
inherent internal reactance, thereby minimizing the required output of
the alternator and reducing the overall power required of the system. A
controllable impedance can be inserted into a low voltage portion of the
multiplier for selectably varying the output voltage and power of the
supply.