The development of a diamond switch for RF pulse compression systems

The use of a diamond RF switch for super-highpower microwave/millimeter wave generation has been evaluated. An X-band chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond window package was theoretically analyzed, designed, and built. Thirty-eight percent of an injected microwave signal with a frequency of 11.424 GHz was reflected from a 100-/spl mu/m thick, 22-mm-diameter CVD diamond window when activated by a 160-mJ, 266-nm Nd:YAG laser. The details of the CVD diamond window design and experimental results are presented. The results have high application potential for building super-high-power microwave systems.