Collaborative Research on Novel High-Power Sources for Physics of Ionospheric Modification
Abstract
This final report documents work conducted as part of a Multi-disciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) in the area of active Ionospheric Modification (IM). The efforts involved four groups: the University of Maryland Space Plasma Physics(SPP) group, the University of California, Los Angeles experimental space plasma simulation group, the Texas Tech (TTech)pulsed power group, and the University of Maryland Charged Particle Beam (CPB) group. Work was divided along two interacting lines. First, UMD SPP and UCLA investigated possible mechanisms for controlling the performance of trans-ionospheric communication systems, improving the performance of submarine ELF/VLF communication systems, and possible mechanisms for controlling the flux of energetic particles trapped in the Radiation Belts(RB). These space plasma physics studies set the specifications for the next generation of IM heaters; addressed by the TTech and UMD CPB groups. A key difficulty concerning applications of IM is that the current research and applications rely on large permanent facilities mostly at high latitudes. The current MURI focused in the development of relatively small mobile or at least transportable facilities. The demands placed on such a transportable heater, primarily its reduced footprint in comparison with HAARP, drove the study of high efficiency sources and compact antennas. The sources investigated included laser driven Photo Conductive Solid State (PCSS) switches at TTech and high power, class D Tetrodes /Pentodes /Inductive Output Tubes (IOTs) at UMD. High efficiency sub-wavelength antennas were studied at TTech.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 16, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1104269
Entities
People
- Thomas M. Antonsen Jr.
Organizations
- University of Maryland