Methods for High-Power EM Pulse Measurement

There are some suitable methods for the measurement of ultrashort solitary electromagnetic pulses (EMP) that are generated by high-power microwave generators. The characteristics of EMPs are high-power level (P
_max
= 250 MW) and very short-time duration (t
_p
euro (1, 60) ns). Special requirements for measurement methods have to be considered because of the specific EMPs properties. In this paper, two suitable methods for this application are presented. The first one, the calorimetric method, utilizes the thermal impacts of microwave absorption. The second method presented-the magnetooptic (MO) method-uses the Faraday's MO effect as a sensor principle. A combined calorimetric sensor was realized and there were some experimental EMP measurements made with good results. The sensor utilizing the MO method is still in development.