Microwave facilitated atmospheric energy projection system

Abstract

The Atmospheric Energy Projection System (AEPS) is a means to project electrical/thermal energy using microwave radiation at the resonant frequency of oxygen. The radiation excites a column through the ambient atmosphere to a temperature such that air within the column is converted from an insulator to a conducting channel or focused medium. An electrical current is subsequently applied to the channel to transmit an electric charge a predetermined distance. Rapid release of pulses of 60 GHz microwave radiation at a field strength below that for breakdown for the waveguide feeding the antenna or at the antenna aperture creates a channel without premature plasma generation. Once the channel is energized sufficiently, an electric charge is released into the channel and flows down it from the source to whatever solid the channel intersects. If no solid intrudes the charge diffuses harmlessly at the end of the heated channel as the channel cools back to the ambient temperature. Channel duration is a function of cross-sectional area, and channel length is a function of the amount of 60 GHz microwave energy radiated into the volume of interest. The radiated energy to make the channel in turn is a function of the power available and microwave source used. Shorter ranges require less power to create the channel. The amount of electrical charge released on the channel is dependent on the desired range and the amount of energy needed for the task at the end of the channel.