Abstract: A three-stage magnetic modulator utilizing magnetic pulse compression designed to provide a 60 kV pulse to a copper vapor laser at a 4.5 kHz repetition rate is disclosed. This modulator operates at 34 kW input power. The circuit includes a step up auto transformer and utilizes a rod and plate stack construction technique to achieve a high packing factor.

Abstract: A laser modulator (10) having a low voltage assembly (12) with a plurality of low voltage modules (14) with first stage magnetic compression circuits (20) and magnetic assist inductors (28) with a common core (91), such that timing of the first stage magnetic switches (30b) is thereby synchronized. A bipolar second stage of magnetic compression (42) is coupled to the low voltage modules (14) through a bipolar pulse transformer (36) and a third stage of magnetic compression (44) is directly coupled to the second stage of magnetic compression (42). The low voltage assembly (12) includes pressurized boxes (117) for improving voltage standoff between the primary winding assemblies (34) and secondary winding (40) contained therein.

Abstract: A high energy, high voltage pulsed power source is provided which is capable of operating at high repetition rates while not having significantly high voltages appearing at any point in the circuit except on the output line. This eliminates the need for Freon cooling the source, permitting conventional water cooling and/or air cooling techniques to be utilized, and also permits air to be used as a dielectric in the source. These advantages are achieved by commutating the voltage across a charged capacitor, using a solid state SCR or other suitable switching device, passing the resultant signal through at least one compressor stage, which reduces the pulse duration and increases the pulse voltage, and applying the output from the compressor in parallel to a primary winding on each of a plurality of transformer coils having a single wire passing therethrough. The output on the wire is equal to the compressor output voltage multiplied by the number of cores.

Abstract: A charge regulation circuit provides regulation of an unregulated voltage supply and provides energy storage. The charge regulation circuit according to the present invention provides energy storage without unnecessary dissipation of energy through a resistor as in prior art approaches.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for generating a pulsed RF power signal is provided. A DC pulse signal is generated which is compressed to increase its power to a predetermined level. The compressed pulse signal is applied to rapidly charge capacitive elements of a frozen wave generator. The capacitive elements may for example be lumped capacitors or transmission line segments. The charging step is accomplished in a manner such that the level and/or polarity of the charge for alternate stages are different than the level and/or polarity for the remaining stages. This may be accomplished by initially charging all stages to the same level and polarity and then either flipping the charge for alternate stages or otherwise altering the charge for such alternate stages or by initially charging alternate ones of the stages to a different level and/or polarity than the remaining stages.

Abstract: Saturable inductor and transformer for magnetic compression of an electronic pulse, using a continuous electrical conductor looped several times around a tightly packed core of saturable inductor material.

Abstract: An electron beam accelerator comprising an electron beam generator-injector to produce a focused beam of .gtoreq.0.1 MeV energy electrons; a plurality of substantially identical, aligned accelerator modules to sequentially receive and increase the kinetic energies of the beam electrons by about 0.1-1 MeV per module. Each accelerator module includes a pulse-forming network that delivers a voltage pulse to the module of substantially .gtoreq.0.1-1 MeV maximum energy over a time duration of .ltoreq.1 .mu.sec.

Abstract: An electron beam accelerator comprising an electron beam generator-injector to produce a focused beam of .gtoreq.0.1 MeV energy electrons; a plurality of substantially identical, aligned accelerator modules to sequentially receive and increase the kinetic energies of the beam electrons by about 0.1-1 MeV per module. Each accelerator module includes a pulse-forming network that delivers a voltage pulse to the module of substantially 0.1-1 MeV maximum energy over a time duration of .ltoreq.1 .mu.sec.

Abstract: Microwave energy is coupled into an elongate waveguide having a rectangular ain cavity with a lateral branch forming a T section. An intense beam of electrons is generated in the rectangular cavity at a particular location relative to the T to reflect incident microwave energy and produce a standing wave. Quarter wavelength spacing of the beam from the T positions either a wave node or antinode at the T. Preferably, in its `open` state, accumulated microwave energy is released as a high power output pulse by establishing an antinode at the T. Alternatively, a node at the T produces a normally `closed` state. In all arrangements, the beam of electrons, which traverses the central portion of the narrow dimension of the rectangular cavity in a direction parallel to the electrical field of its microwave energy, is of sufficient electron density to assure the desired reflection and produce the interference pattern.

Abstract: High power, phase coherent pulses are generated by superconducting appara which includes a superconducting cavity resonator that is pumped by a low power microwave source while being isolated from a load. Switching of the cavity to an emitting mode is accomplished in 5 to 10 nanoseconds by firing a gas discharge tube that acts to couple the activity to the load while decoupling it from the pumping source.