Compact, Submicrosecond Discharge Pulsed Power Capacitors

TRS Technologies, Inc. proposes to develop ceramic capacitors as discharge pulse power capacitors for high-power microwave (HPM) systems.  The proposed ceramic capacitor will combine some of the best features of high energy density, low dielectric loss, fast discharge time and high temperature stability.  The capacitors developed on this program will have energy density >3J/cc, working voltage >15,000V, low power dissipation (Ô<0.005), and a wide working temperature range up to 200¢XC.  In Phase I, ceramic pulse power capacitors will be fabricated and evaluated.  This will include selection of the optimum material from antiferroelectric, paraelectric ceramics with high energy density and low dissipation, design and fabrication of capacitors to withstand 15000V and evaluation of capacitors such as breakdown strength, energy density and discharge characteristics.  These materials have shown 5~13 J/cc of energy density in the form of multilayer capacitors. BENEFIT: The primary markets for high energy density capacitors are high power microwave systems being developed for military applications such directed energy weapons and advanced radar and for high energy physics applications.  Improved application voltage and energy density in general are needed to improve the performance of pulsed power for high power microwave systems.  TRS¡¦s primary emphases for this work will be high power military microwave systems.  The development and fabrication of such materials in TRS¡¦s core competency.