Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a carbon nanotube array plasma limiter having a subnanosecond response time is disclosed. A transmission line assembly having a signal line is provided. A carbon nanotube device is coupled to the transmission line assembly across a gap, wherein the carbon nanotube device is configured for enhancement of an electric field, to initiate a streamer breakdown process within the gap to cause a short circuit of the transmission line assembly in response to a predetermined energy pulse.

Abstract: A plasma limiter is a transient suppression device that combines fast rise time response similar to that of a solid state diode and the high power handling capability similar to that of a traditional gas discharge tube. The limiter is ideally suited to provide front-end protection of radar equipment from electronic warfare systems such as High Power Ultra Wideband (HPUWB) and High Power Microwaves (HPM) as well as protection from lightning and static discharges. It achieves this high order of protection by having a turn-on time of less than 1 nanosecond, a power handling capability of greater than 10 kW, and an insertion loss of less than 0.1 dB.