Abstract: An axially-fed RF power combiner combines a plurality of input signals to generate a single fundamental-mode transverse electromagnetic (TEM) output. The combiner comprises a vacuum coaxial transmission line having a plurality of coaxial vacuum feedthroughs configured to receive the input signals. The feedthroughs are arranged axially around the vacuum coaxial transmission line. An increasing gap is provided between the inner conductive surface and the outer conductive surface of the vacuum coaxial transmission line to gradually transition the input signals from each coaxial vacuum feedthrough to quasi-TEM mode signals within the vacuum envelope of the vacuum coaxial transmission line. In some conductive-ridge embodiments, the inner conductive surface of the vacuum coaxial transmission line may comprise a cylindrical conductive base and a plurality of radially-aligned conductive ridges azimuthally distributed within a vacuum envelope of the vacuum coaxial transmission line.

Abstract: A lightweight, thermally stable disk for use in a slow wave structure (SWS) of CoTWT is configurated without sacrificing thermal management, structural integrity, or RF performance. Refractory metal is removed from regions of the disk where no RF interaction is expected and replaced with resistive ceramic material. The disk includes one or more central ribs positioned about the periphery of a central hub. A plurality of U-shaped receptacles may extend from the one or more central ribs. The disk is plated with a patterned metal to define laminar conductive tabs spaced around the periphery that are separated by solid resistive ceramic tabs and to electromagnetically connect all exposed refractory metal surfaces.

Abstract: A waveguide-to-waveguide power combiner/divider including a waveguide including a first opening at a first end of a first section of the waveguide in a first plane and n openings of n sections at n other ends of the waveguide, wherein n is a positive integer. At least one of the n sections is bent in at least one plane different from the plane of first section, and the first section and n sections each have at least two sides that are broader than at least two other sides; and n?1 walls within waveguide configured to divide a height of first section into n heights. Each of n sections has a height equal to one of the n heights, wherein the n?1 walls are located at a junction of the first section and the n sections and extend toward the first opening of the first section.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a containment vessel having an interior space configured to be sealed. The interior space is configured to receive at least one reservoir of liquid to be vaporized during a decontamination process. The apparatus also includes a base configured to be inserted into the interior space. The base is configured to receive one or more pieces of personal protection equipment to be heated and decontaminated within the interior space during the decontamination process. The base is configured to hold the one or more pieces of personal protection equipment above the at least one reservoir of liquid. The apparatus further includes a pressure-relief valve configured to be opened to release a pressure within the interior space. In some cases, the apparatus may include a filter configured to filter material passing through the pressure-relief valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of a coaxial-to-waveguide power combiner/divider. The apparatus includes a single-fin coaxial-to-waveguide power combiner/divider, including a waveguide having one open end, one closed end, and two sides that are broader than two other sides; two fins in a plane within the waveguide, wherein the plane is configured to be parallel to the broader sides of the waveguide; and at least one coaxial input joined to each of the two fins. Signals may be applied to the at least one coaxial input joined to each of the two fins are in phase with each other, and a number of the at least one coaxial input joined to each of the two fins may include one of a same number and a different number.

Abstract: An axially-fed RF power combiner combines a plurality of input signals to generate a single fundamental-mode transverse electromagnetic (TEM) output. The combiner comprises a vacuum coaxial transmission line having a plurality of coaxial vacuum feedthroughs configured to receive the input signals. The feedthroughs are arranged axially around the vacuum coaxial transmission line. An increasing gap is provided between the inner conductive surface and the outer conductive surface of the vacuum coaxial transmission line to gradually transition the input signals from each coaxial vacuum feedthrough to quasi-TEM mode signals within the vacuum envelope of the vacuum coaxial transmission line. In some conductive-ridge embodiments, the inner conductive surface of the vacuum coaxial transmission line may comprise a cylindrical conductive base and a plurality of radially-aligned conductive ridges azimuthally distributed within a vacuum envelope of the vacuum coaxial transmission line.

Abstract: A system includes a containment vessel configured to receive and retain equipment to be decontaminated. The system also includes a solar reflector configured to reflect solar energy towards the containment vessel in order to heat the containment vessel. The system further includes end supports configured to receive and retain the solar reflector and the containment vessel. The system also includes a base having or coupled to multiple side supports, where each side support is configured to contact and support a corresponding one of the end supports. In addition, the system includes one or more semi-transparent solar shades configured to reduce the solar energy reaching the solar reflector and the containment vessel.

Abstract: Described herein is a traveling wave tube (TWT), comprising an electron gun configured to generate an electron beam (E-beam); a signal injector configured to generate a radio frequency (RF) signal; a slow wave structure (SWS) having an aperture configured to combine the E-beam and the RF signal; an outer wall enclosing the SWS; and at least one electromagnetically-active material on one of (1) at least one projection on at least one of a periphery of the SWS and on a side of the outer wall facing the SWS and (2) the periphery of the SWS configured to receive at least one electromagnetic signal to control, on-the-fly, amplification of the RF signal by maximizing dampening of spurious modes while minimizing dampening of operating modes.

Abstract: A waveguide-to-waveguide power combiner/divider including a waveguide including a first opening at a first end of a first section of the waveguide in a first plane and n openings of n sections at n other ends of the waveguide, wherein n is a positive integer. At least one of the n sections is bent in at least one plane different from the plane of first section, and the first section and n sections each have at least two sides that are broader than at least two other sides; and n?1 walls within waveguide configured to divide a height of first section into n heights. Each of n sections has a height equal to one of the n heights, wherein the n?1 walls are located at a junction of the first section and the n sections and extend toward the first opening of the first section.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of a coaxial-to-waveguide power combiner/divider. The apparatus includes a single-fin coaxial-to-waveguide power combiner/divider, including a waveguide having one open end, one closed end, and two sides that are broader than two other sides; two fins in a plane within the waveguide, wherein the plane is configured to be parallel to the broader sides of the waveguide; and at least one coaxial input joined to each of the two fins. Signals may be applied to the at least one coaxial input joined to each of the two fins are in phase with each other, and a number of the at least one coaxial input joined to each of the two fins may include one of a same number and a different number.

Abstract: A high-power microwave (HPM) vacuum tube source and method of precise coaxial alignment of the field emission (FE) cathode, cylindrical RF generating tube and magnet field includes positioning a low-power thermionic emission (TE) cathode inside the FE cathode in a “cathode-in-cathode” arrangement. With the HPM source under vacuum and the FE cathode deactivated, the TE cathode emits a surrogate electron beam through the generating tube. Measurement circuits measure the surrogate electron beam's position with respect to a longitudinal axis fore and aft of the generating tube. The measurements circuits may, for example, be a repositionable fluorescent target or electric field sensors embedded in the cylindrical RF generating tube. The coaxial alignment of the primary cathode, cylindrical RE generating tube and magnet is adjusted until the position of the surrogate electron beam satisfies a coaxial alignment tolerance.

Abstract: An aerodynamic nose cone capable of imaging through the nose cone is accomplished by forming the nose cone as an Afocal Axicon lens. Under a condition of RI?cos(X)/cos(3X) where RI is an effective refractive index and X is a cone half angle of the solid right-circular cone. EMR incident on a front portion of the cone undergoes a total internal reflection (TIR) and exits a trailing surface of the cone with approximately the same parallelism with which it entered the cone. EMR incident behind the front portion of the cone that exits the trailing surface with different parallelism than it entered may be directed to a light dump or through a frustum of a cone to re-establish the correct parallelism. The entire optical system may be monolithically integrated into the nose cone to eliminate alignment issues and moving parts.

Abstract: A system includes a containment vessel configured to receive and hold one or more pieces of personal protection equipment to be heated and decontaminated during a decontamination process. The system also includes a solar collection device configured to heat the containment vessel based on received solar energy. The solar collection device includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a solar aperture configured to receive the solar energy. The second portion is configured to receive the containment vessel within the body of the solar collection device. The solar collection device also includes louvered slats across the solar aperture. The louvered slats are configured to be rotated in order to control an amount of solar energy passing through the solar aperture into the body of the solar collection device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a containment vessel having an interior space configured to be sealed. The interior space is configured to receive (i) liquid to be vaporized during a decontamination process and (ii) one or more pieces of personal protection equipment to be heated and decontaminated during the decontamination process. The apparatus also includes one or more flameless heaters configured to generate heat without a flame when activated. The apparatus further includes a thermal pouch configured to enclose the containment vessel and the one or more flameless heaters such that the heat from the one or more flameless heaters heats the containment vessel during the decontamination process.

Abstract: A system includes a containment vessel configured to receive and retain equipment to be decontaminated. The system also includes a solar reflector configured to reflect solar energy towards the containment vessel in order to heat the containment vessel. The system further includes end supports configured to receive and retain the solar reflector and the containment vessel. The system also includes a base having or coupled to multiple side supports, where each side support is configured to contact and support a corresponding one of the end supports. In addition, the system includes one or more semi-transparent solar shades configured to reduce the solar energy reaching the solar reflector and the containment vessel.

Abstract: A non-lethal naval vessel interdiction weapon is provided. The non-lethal naval vessel interdiction weapon includes a hydrodynamic hull, guidance and delivery systems housed in the hydrodynamic hull with the delivery system being controllable by the guidance system to drive a naval vessel impeding payload toward a target and a deployment system. The deployment system is configured to prepare the hydrodynamic hull for payload deployment and to deploy the naval vessel impeding payload toward the target following hull preparation.

Abstract: A system includes a containment vessel configured to receive and hold one or more pieces of personal protection equipment to be heated and decontaminated during a decontamination process. The system also includes a solar collection device configured to heat the containment vessel based on received solar energy. The solar collection device includes a body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a solar aperture configured to receive the solar energy. The second portion is configured to receive the containment vessel within the body of the solar collection device. The solar collection device also includes louvered slats across the solar aperture. The louvered slats are configured to be rotated in order to control an amount of solar energy passing through the solar aperture into the body of the solar collection device.

Abstract: An aerodynamic nose cone capable of imaging through the nose cone is accomplished by forming the nose cone as an Afocal Axicon lens. Under a condition of RI?cos(X)/cos(3X) where RI is an effective refractive index and X is a cone half angle of the solid right-circular cone. EMR incident on a front portion of the cone undergoes a total internal reflection (TIR) and exits a trailing surface of the cone with approximately the same parallelism with which it entered the cone. EMR incident behind the front portion of the cone that exits the trailing surface with different parallelism than it entered may be directed to a light dump or through a fustrum of a cone to re-establish the correct parallelism. The entire optical system may be monolithically integrated into the nose cone to eliminate alignment issues and moving parts.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a containment vessel having an interior space configured to be sealed. The interior space is configured to receive at least one reservoir of liquid to be vaporized during a decontamination process. The apparatus also includes a base configured to be inserted into the interior space. The base is configured to receive one or more pieces of personal protection equipment to be heated and decontaminated within the interior space during the decontamination process. The base is configured to hold the one or more pieces of personal protection equipment above the at least one reservoir of liquid. The apparatus further includes a pressure-relief valve configured to be opened to release a pressure within the interior space. In some cases, the apparatus may include a filter configured to filter material passing through the pressure-relief valve.

Abstract: A system for decontaminating personal protection equipment includes a microwave oven and a decontamination apparatus configured to be placed in and heated by the microwave oven. The decontamination apparatus includes a containment vessel having an interior space configured to be sealed. The decontamination apparatus also includes one or more stands within the interior space, where the one or more stands are configured to receive and hold one or more pieces of personal protection equipment to be heated by the microwave oven and decontaminated within the interior space. The decontamination apparatus further includes a pressure-relief valve configured to be opened to release a pressure within the interior space.