25
Solid
State RF PC Pulse Compression for High Power Microwave Generation--Alameda
Applied Sciences Corporation, 2235 Polvorosa Avenue, Suite 230, San Leandro, CA 94577-2249; 510-483-4156
Dr.
Jochen Schein, Principal Investigator, schein@aasc.net
Dr.
Mahadevan Krishnan, Business Official, Krishnan@aasc.net
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG03-01ER83186
Amount:
$100,000
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.