Evaluation of diode-based non-linear transmission lines as microwave sources in compact pulsed power systems

There is a growing need, both commercial and defense related, for compact, high-power, and solid-state pulsed power sources. Of particular interest are pulsed power sources capable of generating high power microwaves (HPM). Diode-based nonlinear transmission lines (DNLTLs), while meeting the above criteria and widely used for low power applications, have yet to demonstrate viability in high power systems. DNLTLs operating above a kilowatt are thus far limited to producing spectral content in the range of a few 100MHz, below the typical requirements for HPM systems. Though challenges exist in designing DNLTLs capable of operating at higher frequencies, no fundamental hurdle has yet been identified that would impede progress. This work seeks to advance the viability of diode-based NLTLs as compact HPM sources by demonstrating the generation of L-band spectral content in MW+ pulses. Nonlinear transmission lines composed of saturable magnetic materials and nonlinear dielectrics are a standard choice for high power rf sources, but are lacking in some combination of compactness, power efficiency, spectral content, or repetition rate. Despite the well-established use of low voltage diode-based NLTLs in sources capable of 10’s of GHz, the primarily limitation in the technology’s employment in higher power systems is that of frequency content. Key issues facing advancement of the technology include a lack of commercially available high-power diodes, a complete absence of semiconductor-level work towards the development of high power, nonlinear dies, and a slew of general complications related to working with high frequency sources at high voltage. Overcoming the bulk of these limitations extends far beyond the scope of the work presented here, but these alone cannot account for the lack of success in advancing high power DNLTLs. Through careful evaluation of potential source of loss, novel modeling techniques, and slight revisions to standard design principles, compact DNLTLs operating in the low L-band at several megawatts peak power are demonstrated.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical Engineering (UMKC)

Grantor

University of Missouri--Kansas City

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Spaeth, William James

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Durbhakula, Kalyan C.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10355/110174

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:mospace.umsystem.edu:10355/110174