High power active X-band pulse compressor using plasma switches

Results obtained in several experiments on active rf pulse compression at X band using a magnicon as the high-power rf source are presented. In these experiments, microwave energy is stored in high-Q TE₀₁ and TE₀₂ modes of two parallel-fed resonators, and then discharged using switches activated with rapidly fired plasma discharge tubes. Designs and high-power tests of several versions of the compressor are described. In these experiments, coherent pulse superposition was demonstrated at a 5–9 MW level of incident power. The compressed pulses observed had powers of 50–70 MW and durations of 40–70 ns. Peak power gains were measured to be in the range of 7∶1–11∶1 with efficiency in the range of 50%–63%.