US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Stephen Levy

Maurice Weiner

Gerhart K Gaule

Sol Schneider

Anderson H Kim

Robert J Zeto

William H Wright, Jr

Paul R Laplante

Joseph C O'Connell

A high power pulse generating system for use in impulse radar systems and e like contains a plurality of pulser units. The pulser units are circular shaped PIN diodes which integrates a light activated switch and a storage capacitor into a single structure formed on a semiconducting wafer. The pulser units have the capability of outputting pulses having a width of less than one nanosecond, facilitating high power output. The outputs of the pulser units are combined when each of the pulser units is simultaneously discharged using multiple laser pulses. In another embodiment a voltage step-up transformer is formed by a PIN diode structure having a diameter of approximately 60 mm. This device has the capability of outputting voltage amplitudes equal to or greater than the voltage level used to charge the PIN diode.

Ligh activated high power integrated pulser

A stripline transformer pulse generator includes a flat ribbon multiple conductor cable and a ground plane of electrically conductive material placed side-by-side and wound together in a coil to form a transformer. The extremities of at least some of the conductors are joined in parallel and connected to a load. A voltage supply and switch connected between the ground plane and one end of the cable brings about charging and discharging of the device.

Stripline transformer adapted for inexpensive construction

The invention concerns an electromagnetically launched projectile having an rmature comprised of refractory metal washers, each of which being coated with a thin film of cathode emitter material. The low work function metal generated by the heat of arcing rises to the armature surface through the capillaries formed between the armature washers. The arc occuring between the rail of the electromagnetic launcher and the armature is lowered due to the formation of a low voltage metallic discharge. The reduced arc drop lowers the erosion rate on the rails which reduces the rail damage resulting in increased firing rate and longer rail life.

Armature for small caliber electromagnetic launch projectile

High power optically activated switches of the semiconductor type utilizing broadbanded flashlamp as the source of light for rendering the semiconductor conductive and thus close the switch. In order that the conductivity of the semiconductor when in the 'on' state be uniform over the load current carrying cross-section thereof, the semiconductor is treated to produce a tapered density of trapping or re-combination centers therein, with the density being a maximum at the semiconductor surface which faces the flashlamp. Several novel configurations of these switches are shown, including reflectors for concentrating the flashlamp output on the semiconductor, and a plurality of semiconductor switches all activated by a single light source, as well as liquid cooled semiconductors.

High power optical switch for microsecond switching

To prevent the anode wire which runs along the axis of the tube from vibrng at the end adjacent the window, a ceramic cup has a flat surface sealed to the inside of the window, and the end of the anode wire is captured within an opening of the cup.

Anode mounting for window type Geiger-Mueller tube

An improved cylindrical Geiger-Mueller tube with a life at least ten times reater than that heretofore obtainable includes a re-entrant insulator at each end of the tube to support the coaxial anode and to shield the tube ends from the Geiger discharge.

Geiger-Mueller tube with a re-entrant insulator at opposing sealed ends

A metal oxide threshold switch (MOTS, e.g., NbOx, x preferably fractionally ess than 2) series connected is used to sharpen the pulse rise to about one or less nanosecond, with a peak up to several kilovolts, and up to 100 amperes or more.

Sharpening high power pulses

A metal oxide threshold switch (MOTS, e.g., NbO.sub.x, x preferably fractally less than 2) series connected is used to sharpen the pulse rise to about one nanosecond, with a peak of thousands of volts, and up to 100 amperes or more. A trigger pulse is used to further sharpen the pulse and reduce jitter.

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Ocean, NJ, United States of America

Stephen Levy