Abstract: A millimetric electromagnetic waves switch is constituted by a ridged waveguide associated to a PIN diode of which the layers P.sup.+ and N.sup.+ are very thin, of about 2 to 5 microns thickness. The width of the diode is inferior to that of the ridged part of the guide and its dimension according to the longitudinal axis of the guide is a multiple of the half-length of the guided wave.

Abstract: A superconducting cavity has a long time constant when the coupling factor of its output port is low so as to accumulate input microwave energy therein, and after a certain accumulation of the input microwave, an output microwave pulse with a large power is extracted from the cavity by suddenly increasing the coupling factor of its output port.

Abstract: An electrically controlled radio frequency tuner used in conjunction with an antenna. The antenna used both as a transmitter and a receiver. The tuner eliminating waveform reflection and circulator feedthrough of transmitted signals which heretofore reflected back into the receiver creating a noise threshold that decreased the sensitivity of the receiver.

Abstract: An improved microwave switch incorporating a fin line structure is described. Microwave switches incorporating fin line structures enable microwave energy to be passed to a load or reflected back to the source, by controlling the conductance state of diodes mounted on the fin line structure. The present invention enables the electrical performance of such switches to be greatly improved. The height of a waveguide channel in the vicinity of the fin line structure is very greatly reduced thereby forcing a waveguide mode of propagation into a slot line so that the fin line structure receives substantially all of the energy supplied to the switch. Higher order modes which are generated at the fin line structure are attenuated by lossy material positioned in choke cavities mounted on either side of the fin line structure.

Abstract: A millimeter-wave cut-off switch in a dielectric waveguide having a semi-insulating core and a semi-conducting epitaxial layer. A controller affixed to the epitaxial layer is alternately switched to vary the conductivity of the epitaxial layer thereby influencing wave propagation in the waveguide. When the waveguide is properly dimensioned such that the operating frequency lies in the high-loss section near the cut-off frequency on the loss vs. frequency characteristic curve, an applied reverse bias voltage produces a switching function in the loss characteristics associated with the wave propagating in the guide thereby resulting in low-loss propagation.

Abstract: An electromagnetic wave switch is provided formed from a profiled wave-guide associated with a PIN diode, filling completely the profiled part of said guide, having a high breakdown voltage and a low thermal resistance.

Abstract: A ferrite modulator/switch is disclosed for use in a dielectric waveguide ansmission line. A ferrite guide section inserted in a dielectric transmission line is longitudinally magnetized to cause a 90.degree. rotation of a wave traveling through the guide thereby inhibiting further propagation and resulting in the scattering out of wave energy away from the dielectric line.

Abstract: An optimized transmission line switch comprises a first high frequency diode and means for counteracting the capacitive component of the first diode. Unpackaged diode chips are utilized to avoid parasitics introduced by diode packages. A two diode switch installed in a reduced height waveguide section provides isolation comparable to prior art switches while providing greatly improved insertion loss.

Abstract: Disclosed is a millimeter wave bulk effect RF power limiter consisting of a lanar PIN diode formed on a gallium arsenide (GaAs) substrate which also comprises the waveguide structure for RF energy in the 60-300 GHz range. The PIN diode is comprised of a wedge of intrinsic type semiconductor material formed across the top surface of the substrate and having mutually opposing regions of p and n type semiconductor material fabricated in the side edges of the wedge to which is attached planar beam leads. With suitable electrical operating potentials applied to the PIN diode avalanche breakdown occurs at a critical RF power level which acts to limit the flow of RF energy flow in the structure past the location of the PIN diode. Such a structure permits the device to be integrated into the front end sections of receivers utilized in communications, missile guidance and radar systems operable in the millimeter and sub-millimeter frequency range.

Abstract: Picosecond duration microwave pulses are generated used a laser activated semiconductor switch. High voltages are switched with picosecond rise time and result in the establishment of microwave pulses of frequency spectrum commensurate with the rise time of the voltage and wave guide parameters of a wave guide in which the switch is disposed. The activating light pulse is synchronous with the microwave pulse. A system, including an antenna and radar receiver, is responsive to the light pulse and return signals from a target on which the microwave pulse is incident. Reflection measurements of the microwave pulses from a body of semiconductor material which is optically excited by the light pulses relatively delayed between the generation of successive microwave pulses, indicate the duration of the microwave pulses.

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: A microwave discharge gap receiver protector includes a radioactive ignitor of the nuclear decay type to provide an auxiliary source of electron priming therefore, the radioactive ignitor comprising a radioactive plate for emitting beta particles therefrom, and a tubular enclosure to channel the flow of emitted beta particles therethrough. In operation, a portion of the channeled emitted beta particles collide with the inner walls of the enclosure which are comprised of a material having a high secondary emission characteristic to generate additional electron particles as a result of secondary emission. Another portion of the beta particles in the channel of the tubular enclosure collide with existing gas particles to generate a second source of auxiliary electrons. The combined sources of auxiliary electrons result in an increased particle concentration which is emitted at an exit end of the enclosure and directed to the discharge gap of the receiver for priming purposes.

Abstract: A buried reed, extra-short pulse width pulser is an extra fast rise and fall time short pulse width pulser with very high voltage output. A typical pulser may have a 10 picosecond rise and fall time, a 500 picosecond flat top time, and up to a 1000 volt output. The output impedance of the pulser is normally 50 ohms. A reed switch provides switching between a center conductor of a charged line and an output line to provide the output pulses. The reed switch is buried within the pulser forming an integral part of the center conductors.

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.

Abstract: A microwave hybrid T-Junction switch using the two main (symmetrical) arms as input/output ports and two branch arms (E and H-plane) as control terminals, one of the branch arms containing a biased diode for switching and the other branch arm terminated with a fixed electrical short.

Abstract: The specification describes a vacuum device utilizing the multipacting phenomenon in a special insulated-electrode microwave comb-line structure and functioning as a high speed, single pole, single throw, RF switch with the exception that in the off condition, power is absorbed in the device.

Abstract: A switch for coaxial circuits is shown, including a moveable contact, a controller which controls the position of the moveable contact, and a latch to hold the moveable contact in the latest position determined by the controller. The moveable contact has an end which is permanently connected to a first terminal of a coaxial switch and a free end which may be connected to either of two other terminals of a coaxial switch as determined by signals to the controller. The controller includes a coil responsive to electrical current to magnetize an armature which is mechanically linked to the moveable contact. The latch includes a permanent magnet which reacts with a magnetized portion of the armature to force the armature and therefore the free end of the moveable contact into the latest position as determined by the polarity of the magnetic field of the coil.