High power microwave sources: where do we go from here?

Abstract

High power microwave (HPM) sources, in the context of this paper, denotes sources of coherent radiation that are generated through the interaction of an intense relativistic electron beam with an electrodynamic structure. Whereas the vast majority of HPM devices that are being researched are relegated to large laboratory facilities, attributed primarily to the large volume occupied by typical pulsed power generators, recent interest has focused on the integration of HPM sources with compact pulsed power generators. This presentation will focus on the author's view of the future direction of HPM source research. This direction suggests viewing sources as integrated systems, and inevitably going in the direction of operating with overmoded electrodynamic structures in a "managed" manner.