Serial arrangement of ferrimagnetic nonlinear transmission lines

Abstract

Nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs) utilizing ferrimagnetic materials for microwave generation have been realized as a possible solid-state replacement to traditional high power microwave (HPM) sources. The nonlinearities present in the material, along with interaction between pulsed, azimuthal magnetic fields and static, axial-biasing magnetic fields provide microwave (mesoband) generation with peak powers exceeding 30 MW at 2-4 GHz center frequency with 25 kV incident pulse magnitude. Additionally, an incident pulse of several nanoseconds is sharpened to hundreds of picoseconds. This study focuses on a serial arrangement of two NLTLs with 5 ns electrical length separation. Tests with 25 kV incident voltage are performed with varying bias schemes for each NLTL structure. The lines are terminated into a 50 Ω matched load. Measurements taken before and after each NLTL provide insight to the behavior of the traveling pulse. Results regarding peak power, frequency of operation, and system delay are discussed.