Tuneable Low Frequency Microwave Source

Air Force systems such as Ultra Wide Band impulse radiators require advancement past the current state of the art in pulse power technology. Systems operating at several 100kV to MV at repetition rates of 500Hz to 2kHz have been large, complex, expensive and difficult to deploy as airborne systems. Present components are being pushed to their limits which results in issues of reliability and repeatability. We propose a different approach. We have developed a repetitive modular pulse power generator using innovative circuit topologies that allow present components to operate at higher performance levels. The system consists of a solid state pulsed charged multiple Blumlein generator using sparkgap switches combined with a variable pulse forming line and fast output switch. The system is designed to produce a damped sine waveform output that can be varied over the frequency range of 100MHz to 700MHz. The phase I proposal will demonstrate this device at >100kV and >1kHz repetition rate.