Consideration of an autonomous compact source for high-power microwave applications

The use of explosively driven flux compressors as light and compact autonomous single-shot power supplies for high-power microwave applications requires special attention to be paid to the conditioning and matching elements of the overall system, due to the fast-rising high voltage output step that is needed. This paper addresses various schemes by which this may be achieved and, based on proven techniques, a practical approach using a high-voltage transformer is described in detail. In addition, it is shown that future developments in long conduction plasma opening switches and fast-pulse compressors will open the way to much more compact and higher performance systems, with characteristics that could also match the requirements of high-power lasers and ion-beam generators.