Encapsulated Particles: Improved Catalyst for the Production of Methanol from CO

65877 The generation of high power, high frequency microwaves, using conventional sources such as klystrons or traveling wave amplifiers, requires that very high field gradients be sustained in small output cavities for a long duration. A high-current electron beam source, and thus a high power modulator, is also required. This project will develop a doped diamond switch as a pulse compressor element to reduce both the electron beam power required and the duration over which the output cavity must support high field gradients. This approach provides the possibility of generating >100 MW of X-band RF power, without any enhancements to existing vacuum tube technology. Phase I will demonstrate that boron doped diamond can be made conductive by relatively low power irradiation and will determine the RF properties of this material. A boron doped diamond membrane will turn from its normal insulating state (transmitting radio frequency) to a conducting state (reflecting radio frequency) when irradiated by ultraviolet radiation. The following three tasks will be performed: (1) determine the photosensitivity, charge carrier lifetime, and breakdown strength of boron doped diamond; (2) conduct a proof of principle experiment that will demonstrate, using a low power RF source, the transmission and reflection properties of boron doped diamond in the ~10 GHz (X-band) frequency range; and (3) design a diamond pulse compression switch for a higher power RF source to be validated in Phase II. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: The diamond switch pulse compressor should be an enabling technology for next generation particle accelerators, radar systems, and high range resolution (clutter rejection) radar.