A W-Band, Permanent Magnet Gyrotron

There is a requirement for high power, W-Band, RF sources for the Active Denial, non-lethal weapon system. Currently the RF source is a 95 GHz gyrotron producing approximately 100 kW and using a super conducting magnet. The weight, volume, cost, and logistics issues associated with the source and magnet impose considerable operational, support, and maintenance requirements and dramatically increase start-up time. An uninterrupted power supply is required to energize the superconducting magnet. Recent advances in rare earth permanent magnet technology allow compact magnets with peak fields up to 1.75 Tesla. This is sufficient for a second harmonic gyrotron producing RF power at 90 GHz. Previous research demonstrated that high efficiency gyrotrons can be achieved using second harmonic operation. Calabazas Creek Research, Inc. proposes to develop a high efficiency, second harmonic gyrotron producing 50 kW of continuous RF power at 90 GHz using a permanent magnet. CCR will team with Dexter Magnetic Technologies, Inc. and L3 Communications Titan Corporation to develop a prototype gyrotron compatible with an efficient, cost effective, deployable system. CCR will also investigate innovative energy recovery systems with the goal of increasing the efficiency to 60%.