Review of recent theories and experiments for improving high-power microwave window breakdown thresholds

Journal Article · Sun May 15 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3560599· OSTI ID:21537852

Chao, Chang; Guozhi, Liu ^[1]; Chuanxiang, Tang ^[1]; Changhua, Chen; Jinyong, Fang ^[2]

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1. Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084 (China)
2. Science and Technology of High Power Microwave Laboratory, Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710024 (China)

Dielectric window breakdown is a serious challenge in high-power microwave (HPM) transmission and radiation. Breakdown at the vacuum/dielectric interface is triggered by multipactor and finally realized by plasma avalanche in the ambient desorbed or evaporated gas layer above the dielectric. Methods of improving breakdown thresholds are key challenges in HPM systems. First, the main theoretical and experimental progress is reviewed. Next, the mechanisms of multipactor suppression for periodic rectangular and triangular surface profiles by dynamic analysis and particle-in-cell simulations are surveyed. Improved HPM breakdown thresholds are demonstrated by proof-of-principle and multigigawatt experiments. The current theories and experiments of using dc magnetic field to resonantly accelerate electrons to suppress multipactor are also synthesized. These methods of periodic profiles and magnetic field may solve the key issues of HPM vacuum dielectric breakdown.

• OSTI ID: 21537852
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 18; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BREAKDOWN
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HIGH-FREQUENCY DISCHARGES
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATERIALS
MICROWAVE RADIATION
PLASMA SIMULATION
RADIATIONS
SIMULATION