Abstract: A rectangular electrical pulse enters a transmission line structure with single pass transit time equal to ½ the duration of the pulse, open circuit at the extreme end and a switch at its center. After a delay equal to ¾ of the rectangular pulse duration the central switch is closed to couple the contents of the transmission line structure into another transmission line of half impedance. The output pulse maintains the initial voltage, but is of half the initial duration, and double the initial power.

Abstract: A rectangular electrical pulse enters a transmission line structure with single pass transit time equal to ½ the duration of the pulse, open circuit at the extreme end and a switch at its center. After a delay equal to ¾ of the rectangular pulse duration the central switch is closed to couple the contents of the transmission line structure into another transmission line of half impedance. The output pulse maintains the initial voltage, but is of half the initial duration, and double the initial power.

Abstract: A plasma x-ray source includes a chamber containing a gas at a prescribed pressure, the chamber defining a pinch region having a central axis, an RF electrode disposed around the pinch region for preionizing the gas in the pinch region to form a plasma shell that is symmetrical around the central axis, and a pinch anode and a pinch cathode disposed at opposite ends of the pinch region. The pinch anode and the pinch cathode produce a current through the plasma shell in an axial direction and produce an azimuthal magnetic field in the pinch region in response to a high energy electrical pulse. The azimuthal magnetic field causes the plasma shell to collapse to the central axis and to generate x-rays. Prior to collapse, the plasma shell may have a cylindrical shape or a spherical shape.

Abstract: A pseudospark switch performs the rapid commutation of high electric currents at moderately high voltage, with minimal statistical uncertainty in the delay between triggering and commutation. The switch includes multiple parallel pseudospark channels, the channels being arranged radially. The switch is triggered by an injection of electrons from an auxiliary discharge present in a common hollow cathode region of the pseudospark channels. Structures within the cathode inhibit spontaneous firing of the switch. In particular, the operating voltage of the switch is greatly increased by the presence of an axial stabilizing electrode element inside the hollow cathode, which stabilizes the open circuit state of the switch. A bias electrode within the hollow cathode provides further stabilization when held at positive potential and enhances triggering when biased negatively relative to the hollow cathode.

Abstract: A thermally insulated masonry wall comprising a plurality of thermally insulated barrier layers extending laterally inwardly from the surface of the wall. This is accomplished by placing a nozzle against the surface of the wall and blasting a pulsating air stream containing a thermal insulating liquid which penetrates through the surface of the wall to provide a first barrier layer embedded deeply in the wall and laterally spaced inwardly from its surface. A second operation provides a second but shallower barrier layer. This can be followed by a third or more applications. Each of the resulting barrier layers comprises particles of masonry material coated with thermal insulating liquid and entrapping air in the interstices formed by the coated masonry particles.