Optimizing fast discharges for high speed time varying plasma antenna using particle in cell simulations

摘要

A recently proposed novel plasma antenna concept involves creating a dynamic conductor that can selectively pass current and change its state on time scales on the order of the current wave form propagation time. This concept can improve the efficiency of an electrically short wire antenna by mitigating the boundary condition at the antenna tip which is the cause of very low efficiency. Realization of this antenna requires fast switching of a current channel with nanosecond turn ON/OFF times and high power capacity. If the switching is done with plasma this calls for ionization and quenching times on the order of nanoseconds.