Wideband Microwave Generation with GaAs Photoconductive Switches
Abstract
We are using solid state photoconductive switches to generate wideband microwave pulses with peak powers to 20 MW. A parallel-plate Blumlein transmission line is used to directly feed an exponential taper antenna to produce single pulses with rise times of 200 ps and pulse durations of 340 ps (FWHM). Voltages up to 21 kV have been generated in a 1 cm tall, 12 em wide parallel-plate line. With the switches operated in linear mode, we have demonstrated phasing of several switches to generate a coherent wave. Generated and radiated signals agree very well with numerical calculations. Radiation efficiencies approach 30%. The Blumlein dielectric can be changed to produce a damped waveform, thereby modifying the bandwidth of the signal. We have generated damped waveforms of up to 3 cycles using this method. The parallel-plate geometry lends itself to coupling to an antenna structure to radiate efficiently. The geometry also lends itself to expanding the generator in height and width. We have stacked two generators to nearly double the output power without degrading the pulse characteristics.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA633585
Entities
People
- B. James
- J. O'bannon
- Jeremy M. Stein
- K. L. Griffin
- M. D. Pocha
- R. L. Druce
Organizations
- Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory