Abstract: A printed circuit Traveling-Wave Tube (TWT) with a vacuum housing containing either a pair of identical meanderline slow-wave interaction circuits or a pair of multi-arm spiral slow-wave interaction circuits printed on two identical Photonic Band Gap crystal structures, and a gridded electron gun assembly. Printed on the two identical Photonic Band Gap crystal structures are electrical connections to connect the heater, cathode, grid and acceleration electrodes of the electron gun assembly to a power supply, RF input and output connectors surrounded by ground planes, a depressed collector, and a set of electrical connections to the depressed collector. Zig-zag metal spacers between the two identical Photonic Band Gap crystal structures are used to form the electron beam vacuum gap. Printed conducting metal strips on each side of the meanderline slow-wave interaction circuits are used for electrostatic focusing and to reduce beam edge effects of a sheet electron beam.

Abstract: A laser activated grenade is provided which includes a controllable laser source activated at specific times to generate radiation pulses. An energetic material within the grenade is ignited upon delivery of the generated radiation pulses. A propellant charge material triggers a propellant explosive train when the energetic material ignites. The grenade further includes load materials which are selectively activated once the propellant explosive train has been launched. The laser source may be located remotely from the grenade in order that the generated radiation pulses travel to the grenade through a fiber optic cable. Alternatively, the laser source may be embedded in the grenade and activated by a microwave/RF coded signal received from a remote signal transmitter.

Abstract: A device for generating and radiating pulses of radio frequency/microwave energy in response to pulses of laser light in which a metal layer is ohmically bonded to each side of a substrate of semiconductior material and an antenna bowtie pattern is ohmically bonded to the metal layers to form a feed structure for a Luneburg lens type antenna. There is at least one aperture available on the substrate of the semiconductor material for permitting laser light to reach the disk to produce photoconduction. The photoconductive switch is electrically connected to the storage device to facilitate fast discharge of the stored energy through the switch. The feed structure is mounted on a motorized support stand, which is connected to a center post by an arm that can rotate 360° in the azimuthal direction and ±90° in elevation. The feed structure is located on the outermost shell of the Luneburg lens, and is concave to conform to the focal radius of curvature of the outermost shell.

Abstract: A projectile with an Air Pressure Wave Generator, a battery, fuze, safe and arm system, detonator system, and ancillary circuitry. The Air Pressure Wave Generator contains a supersonic or subsonic nozzle, an ogive, and a secondary propellant chamber, which contains a conventional high explosive and is consistent with the “form-fit” of the weapon rifling system, and designed so as to produce the desired Air Pressure Wave impulse on the target. The projectile also has chemical agent(s) and marker(s) inside the secondary propellant chamber, and/or inside the Air Pressure Wave Generator section that is located intermediate between the nozzle and projectile housing. The types and amounts of chemical agent(s) and marker(s) are consistent with the Air Pressure Wave Generator design to entrap the chemical agent(s) and marker(s) in the core or central section of the APW packet.

Abstract: A high-gain, dielectric loaded, slotted waveguide antenna having a photonic bandgap, a high-impedance electromagnetic structure, in contact with the waveguide surface containing longitudinal slots, and a tailored dielectric material structure in contact with the outer surface of the photonic bandgap structure. The tailored dielectric structure at the inner most surface has the same effective dielectric constant of the waveguide material and the photonic bandgap structure. The effective dielectric constant is then incrementally or continuously reduced to have a dielectric constant close to that of the free-space value at the outer surface further distance from the waveguide array. The tailoring of the effective dielectric constant is achieved by layering a given number of slabs of different dielectric constants with sequentially reduced values, or by varying the chemical composition of the material, or by varying the density of the material imbedded with high dielectric constant particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides multidimensional stacked photonic band gap crystal structures improving the performance of current planar monolithic antennas and RF filters by forbidding radiation from coupling into the substrate thereby significantly enhancing radiation efficiency and bandwidth. This invention comprises a number of sub-crystals with each having at least two lattices disposed within a host material, each lattice having a plurality of dielectric pieces arranged and spaced from each other in a predetermined manner, the sub-crystals being stacked in a crystal structure to provide a photonic band gap forbidding electromagnetic radiation propagating over a specially designed frequency band gap, or stopband. Both two dimensional and multidimensional crystals are disclosed.

Abstract: A photon triggered RF radiator having separate sections to perform the eny storage and the energy radiation functions. The energy storage function is performed by at least one charging electrode positioned on the upper surface of a photoconductive dielectric substrate, whereas the energy radiation function is performed by a charging electrode positioned adjacent to the charging electrode on the upper surface of the substrate. The charging electrode and the radiating electrode are separated by a predetermined gap distance that is large enough to insure there is no surface flashover between the electrodes and small enough to insure the efficiency of energy discharge from the charging pad to the spiral antenna is maximized.

Abstract: A photoconductive switch coupled to an energy storage device wherein the tch is comprised of photoconductive semiconductor material while the energy storage device comprises two spiral metalized arms that make up a spiral antenna. The photoconductive switch is electrically connected to the storage device to facilitate fast discharge of the stored energy through a load. A variation comprises a storage device comprising two separate pieces of substrate material each having a spiral metalized arm. The separate pieces being connected by highly dielectric material to form a spiral antenna ultra wideband radiator.

Abstract: A photoconductive ultra-wideband impulse generating device utilizing pulse harpening techniques to further increase its radiation frequency well above the gigahertz range while also substantially improving radiation efficiency. Such pulse sharpening provides for a radiator having a wider range of applications.

Abstract: An electronically controlled frequency agile impulse source utilizing pulse sharpening techniques to increase its versatility in radiating impulse energy at a variety of center frequencies and bandwidths in the megahertz to the gigahertz range. Such pulse sharpening provides for a radiator having a wider range of applications.

Abstract: A photoconductive switch coupled to an energy storage device wherein the tch is comprised of photoconductive semiconductor material while the energy storage device comprises two discrete dielectric mediums. Each medium having a conductive electrode on the top and bottom surfaces to essentially form parallel capacitors wherein the parallel capacitors are separated by a predetermined gap distance. A photoconductive switch electrically connected to each medium such that the switches are located on the opposite sides of their respective mediums. The predetermined gap distance (between the electrodes) and the photoconductive switches (on opposite sides of the storage devices) provide suppression of surface flashover between very high voltage, charged electrodes. Such flashover suppression allowing for very high power pulse generation.

Abstract: The combination of a photoconductive switch coupled to an energy storage ice wherein the switch is comprised of photoconductive semiconductor switch while the energy storage device comprises a tapered radio transmission line. A photoconductive semiconductor gallium arsenide switch is embedded in a circular disc of dielectric material having a thickness dimension which reduces linearly outward from the center, with upper and lower layers of continuous radial metallization configured in a circular pattern located thereon. The upper layer of metallization includes an apertured grid adjacent one surface of the switch, while the outer conductor of a coaxial output signal line is connected to the metallization layer on the opposite side with the inner conductor thereof passing through the dielectric layer to the undersurface of the semiconductor switch.

Abstract: A device for generating pulses of radio frequency energy in response to pulses of laser light in which a circular wafer of GaAs has metallized annular layers ohmically bonded to the wafer by epitaxial GaAs layers, and an epitaxial layer of AlGaAs in the center of one of the annular epitaxial layers through which laser light is to be directed, there being a plurality of apertures in the metallized layer in contact with the AlGaAs epitaxial layer. In addition, an AlGaAs epitaxial layer may be formed opposite the first AlGaAs layer and an optical fiber is brought into contact with it so that laser light can be introduced at both sides of the wafer.

Abstract: A photoconductive switch coupled to an energy storage device wherein the tch is comprised of photoconductive semiconductor material while the energy storage device comprises two quasi-radial transmission line including a different material, i.e. a dielectric storage medium. The photoconductive semiconductor gallium arsenide switch is electrically connected to two quasi-radial transmission lines formed in part by layers of metallization configured in a quasi-radially shaped pattern upon the energy storage device. A variation comprises a photoconductive semiconductor gallium arsenide wafer sandwiched between two quasi-radial transmission lines so that the semiconductor gallium arsenide wafer serves as substrate, energy storage medium, and photoconductive switch.

Abstract: The overflow tube and ball valve of a conventional water tank are replaced with a collapsible tube, one end of which is located above the water outlet of the tank, and the other end of which is located above the water line in the tank and able to be compressed to allow water to flow through the tube thereby flushing the tank. The volume of water expelled from the tank is controlled by choosing an appropriate amount of compression. The compressed tube returns to its original height after flushing. In one embodiment of the invention, a handle on the exterior of the tank cover is used to compress the tube in a plunger-like motion. The handle is provided with markings corresponding to the amount of water flushed for a given vertical displacement of the handle. In another embodiment of the invention, a lever is positioned on the front wall of the tank and is able to cause rotation of a cantilever beam. At the free end of the beam is a connection to a vertical rod which is depressed by rotation of the lever.

Abstract: A high power microwave/radio frequency radiating projectile that stores electrical energy in a Pulse Forming Line network. Electrical energy is converted to high power microwave/radio frequency energy by a subnanosecond switch either in a single pulse mode or a repetition rate mode.The high power microwave/ratio frequency energy is then radiated by an antenna built into the projectile. The heavy power supply required for providing the high voltage necessary for charging the pulse forming line network is not part of the projectile but is contained in the launching gun, or as ancillary equipment to the launching gun.

Abstract: A high voltage sub-nanosecond pulser and radiator including a radial transsion line consisting of a dielectric member sandwiched between two patterned layers of metallization, one of which comprises a plurality of radiating elements. A photoconductive semiconductor gallium arsenide switch is embedded in the dielectric member which has a constant thickness. The other layer of metallization includes an apertured grid adjacent one surface of the switch for application of an energization pulse of laser light.

Abstract: The combination of a photoconductive switch coupled to an energy storage ice wherein the switch is comprised of photoconductive semiconductor material while the energy storage device comprises a radio transmission line including a different material, i.e. a dielectric storage medium. A photoconductive semiconductor gallium arsenide switch is embedded in a circular disc of dielectric material with upper and lower layers of continuous radial metallization configured in a circular pattern located thereon. The upper layer of metallization includes an apertured grid adjacent one surface of the switch, while the outer conductor of a coaxial output signal line is connected to the metallization layer on the opposite side with the inner conductor thereof passing through the dielectric layer to the undersurface of the semiconductor switch.

Abstract: An optically activated avalanche GaAs switch having two opposing optical windows for receiving optical energy from an illumination source which may be, for example, a laser diode operating at a 1.06 micron wavelength. The switch is a semiconductor PIN structure including a substrate of intrinsic GaAs material within which is formed opposing highly doped deep recessed p+ and n+GaAs layers underlying a pair of ohmic contacts including outer annular layers of metallization which surround respective centrally located optical windows formed of AlGaAs. By illuminating the switch from opposite sides through the optical windows, electron-hole pairs are generated and a condition for an avalanche mode of operation is created in the center region of the device rendering it conductive.

Abstract: A device for radiating pulses of radio frequency energy in response to pulses of laser light in which a metal layer is ohmically bonded to one side of a substrate of semiconductor material and an antenna is ohmically bonded to the other side of the substrate, there being at least one aperture in the metal layer for permitting laser light to reach the disk.