5-GW Tesla-type pulse generator based on a mixed pulse-forming line

Area of Science:

• Physics
• Electrical Engineering
• Plasma Science

Background:

• Generating high-power microwaves (HPMs) requires advanced pulse generation techniques.
• Traditional pulse-forming lines (PFLs) face limitations in achieving desired pulse characteristics like flat-top quality and reduced length.
• Intense electron beams are crucial for HPM generation and various scientific applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a compact and efficient 5-gigawatt (GW) Tesla-type pulse generator.
• To improve the flat-top quality and reduce the length of electrical pulses for HPM generation.
• To investigate the performance of a mixed PFL design in producing intense electron beams and HPMs.

Main Methods:

• A mixed pulse-forming line (PFL) was designed, combining a coaxial PFL with a multistage series annular PFL.
• The annular PFL comprised 18 series-connected coaxial-output capacitor-loaded modules.
• The generator was tested into a matched load and used to drive a relative backward-wave oscillator.

Main Results:

• The developed generator produced quasi-square electrical pulses with a 43 ns width and 5 GW peak power.
• When driving a backward-wave oscillator, HPMs at 16.15 GHz with 1.06 GW power were generated.
• The overall efficiency for HPM generation reached 25% at specific diode voltage (620 kV) and beam current (6.9 kA).

Conclusions:

• The mixed PFL design effectively shortens the pulse-forming line and enhances pulse flat-top quality.
• The 5-GW Tesla-type pulse generator is suitable for producing intense electron beams and driving HPM devices.
• This work demonstrates a viable approach for efficient high-power microwave generation.