Abstract
The high-power-microwave (HPM) sources currently under development typically require constant pumping to maintain the high vacuum levels required for operation. This pumping is often done with either a cryo- or turbopumping system, either of which would be difficult to deploy in a compact portable system. A compact sealed-tube virtual cathode oscillator (vircator) source has been developed at Texas Tech University (TTU) that does not require a bulky external vacuum pump for operation. This device has a base vacuum pressure in the low 10 -9-torr range compared to the majority of laboratory HPM sources having vacuum levels in the 10 -5 -10 -7-torr range. The reduced amount of trapped gasses in the sealed-tube ultrahigh-vacuum environment has the potential to greatly impact device performance. The TTU sealed-tube vircator is useful as a testbed for studying HPM source optimization under UHV conditions. Measured operational characteristics of the tube utilizing a carbon fiber cathode and a nickel anode are presented, along with radiated microwave measurements.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 6179553 |
Pages (from-to) | 1618-1621 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science |
Volume | 40 |
Issue number | 6 PART 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2012 |
Keywords
- Explosive electron emission
- high-power microwaves (HPMs)
- perveance
- vacuum diode
- virtual cathode oscillator (vircator)