Extension of the RF pulse duration of a virtual cathode oscillator

Conference · Mon Jun 13 04:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7002941

Poulsen, P; Morrison, J J

The total energy emitted by a microwave source is an important factor in determining its utility as a weapon; as a consequence, an effort to extend the pulse length of virtual cathode oscillators (VCOs) was initiated. Typically, the RF ceases prior to the termination of the beam pulse and prior to the plasma closure which is caused by the production of plasma in the anode-cathode gap. Ion contamination of the negative space charge of a virtual cathode oscillator is shown to cause termination of the RF production. We report on initial experiments designed to investigate the effect of vacuum conditions and electrode surface treatments on the RF pulse length and the RF energy production. The pulse length and total RF energy has been increased by a factor of 2-3; the primary cause of the space charge neutralization appears to be ions created at the anode surface. 5 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 7002941
• Report Number(s): UCRL-98909; CONF-8805132-9; ON: DE88012436
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420800* -- Engineering-- Electronic Circuits & Devices-- (-1989)
BEAM PULSERS
CATHODES
ELECTRODES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
MICROWAVE RADIATION
OSCILLATORS
PULSE TECHNIQUES
RADIATIONS
RF SYSTEMS