High-Power Tests of a Two-Channel X-Band Active RF Pulse Compressor Using Plasma Switches

摘要

Results are presented from experiments carried out at the NRL X-band magnicon facility on a two-channel X-band active rf pulse compressor that employs plasma switches. Evidence is shown to validate the basic goals of the project, which include: simultaneous firing of plasma switches in both channels of the rf circuit, operation at high power of a quasi-optical 3-dB hybrid directional coupler, coherent superposition of rf compressed pulses from both channels, and stable operation of the X-band magnicon directly into the resonant load presented by the rf pulse compressor. For incident 1.2-usec pulses in the range 0.63-1.35 MW, compressed pulses of 5.7-11.3 MW were obtained in a first experimental campaign, corresponding to power gain ratios of 8.3-9.3. Following improvements in the experimental arrangement, 1.2-usec pulses of 5.0 MW could be applied during a second campaign, yielding compressed pulses up to 53 MW peak power with power gain ratios up to 10.4.