Microwave pulse compression from a storage cavity with laser-induced switching
Abstract
A laser-induced switch and a multiple cavity configuration are disclosed for producing high power microwave pulses. The microwave pulses are well controlled in wavelength and timing, with a quick rise time and a variable shape and power of the pulse. In addition, a method of reducing pre-pulse leakage to a low level is disclosed. Microwave energy is directed coherently to one or more cavities that stores the energy in a single mode, represented as a standing wave pattern. In order to switch the stored microwave energy out of the main cavity and into the branch waveguide, a laser-actuated switch is provided for the cavity. The switch includes a laser, associated optics for delivering the beam into the main cavity, and a switching gas positioned at an antinode in the main cavity. When actuated, the switching gas ionizes, creating a plasma, which becomes reflective to the microwave energy, changing the resonance of the cavity, and as a result the stored microwave energy is abruptly switched out of the cavity. The laser may directly pre-ionize the switching gas, or it may pump an impurity in the switching gas to an energy level which switches when a pre-selected cavity field is attained. Timingmore »
- Inventors:
-
- Menlo Park, CA
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 868469
- Patent Number(s):
- 5148129
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
H - ELECTRICITY H03 - BASIC ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY H03K - PULSE TECHNIQUE
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- microwave; pulse; compression; storage; cavity; laser-induced; switching; switch; multiple; configuration; disclosed; producing; power; pulses; controlled; wavelength; timing; quick; rise; time; variable; shape; addition; method; reducing; pre-pulse; leakage; level; energy; directed; coherently; cavities; stores; single; mode; represented; standing; wave; pattern; stored; main; branch; waveguide; laser-actuated; provided; laser; associated; optics; delivering; beam; gas; positioned; antinode; actuated; ionizes; creating; plasma; reflective; changing; resonance; result; abruptly; switched; directly; pre-ionize; pump; impurity; switches; pre-selected; field; attained; varying; pathlength; actuating; example; pathlengths; adjusted; output; series; power pulse; cavity configuration; pulse compression; energy level; microwave energy; laser beam; single mode; standing wave; single pulse; wave energy; rise time; power microwave; microwave pulses; microwave pulse; multiple cavity; wave pattern; wave pulse; power pulses; /333/315/327/
Citation Formats
Bolton, Paul R. Microwave pulse compression from a storage cavity with laser-induced switching. United States: N. p., 1992.
Web.
Bolton, Paul R. Microwave pulse compression from a storage cavity with laser-induced switching. United States.
Bolton, Paul R. Wed .
"Microwave pulse compression from a storage cavity with laser-induced switching". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/868469.
@article{osti_868469,
title = {Microwave pulse compression from a storage cavity with laser-induced switching},
author = {Bolton, Paul R},
abstractNote = {A laser-induced switch and a multiple cavity configuration are disclosed for producing high power microwave pulses. The microwave pulses are well controlled in wavelength and timing, with a quick rise time and a variable shape and power of the pulse. In addition, a method of reducing pre-pulse leakage to a low level is disclosed. Microwave energy is directed coherently to one or more cavities that stores the energy in a single mode, represented as a standing wave pattern. In order to switch the stored microwave energy out of the main cavity and into the branch waveguide, a laser-actuated switch is provided for the cavity. The switch includes a laser, associated optics for delivering the beam into the main cavity, and a switching gas positioned at an antinode in the main cavity. When actuated, the switching gas ionizes, creating a plasma, which becomes reflective to the microwave energy, changing the resonance of the cavity, and as a result the stored microwave energy is abruptly switched out of the cavity. The laser may directly pre-ionize the switching gas, or it may pump an impurity in the switching gas to an energy level which switches when a pre-selected cavity field is attained. Timing of switching the cavities is controlled by varying the pathlength of the actuating laser beam. For example, the pathlengths may be adjusted to output a single pulse of high power, or a series of quick lower power pulses.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992}
}
Works referenced in this record:
Prepulse suppression in microwave pulse‐compression cavities
journal, October 1986
- Alvarez, R. A.; Byrne, D. P.; Johnson, R. M.
- Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 57, Issue 10
Operation of a double cavity, microwave pulse compression system with phase controlled output
conference, January 1989
- Bolten, P. R.; Alvarez, R. A.
- IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science
Laser triggering of a 500‐kV gas‐filled switch: A parametric study
journal, September 1984
- Woodworth, J. R.; Hargis, P. J.; Pitchford, L. C.
- Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 56, Issue 5