A 100MW X-band Short Pulse Phase Shifter

High-power microwave (HPM) phase shifters are essential components in advanced radar systems, communication networks, phased array antennas, and microwave-based particle accelerators. Potential candidates for handling peak RF power above 100 MW include ferrite-based waveguide phase shifters and mechanical plunger-based waveguide phase shifters. The primary limitation in pushing ferrite-based phase shifters into the 100 MW regime is the RF breakdown threshold of ferrite materials. We propose a waveguide based phase shifter which meets all the requirements outlined in the solicitation, including RF power, tuning range, and agility, etc. Leveraging the collaborative capabilities of Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), which offers a test platform with >100 MW short-pulse X-band (11.7 GHz) RF, we will design and fabricate a prototype operating at 11.7 GHz for evaluation in Phase I. If successful, the device will be scaled to the target frequency in Phase II.