Standing Wave Plasma Antenna With Plasma Reflector
Abstract
A standing wave plasma antenna is provided. An ionizer generates an ionizing beam in a bounded plasma column extending along a vertical axis. A modulating signal is applied to an electro-optical crystal that modulates the ionizing beam. The resulting changes in the ionizing beam produce gradients in the plasma that cause ions and electrons to oscillate in a vertical path that generates alternating current having the frequency of the modulator. At a remote end the antenna terminates in a reflector. The reflector includes a chamber having a plasma with a charged particle density that is greater than the charged particle density in the plasma. The generated currents are therefore reflected as in a standing wave antenna. These currents generate an amplitude-, phase- or frequency-modulated electromagnetic field that radiates from the plasma column.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 21, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADD019511
Entities
People
- Theodore R. Anderson
Organizations
- United States Department of the Navy