US4733133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for producing microwave radiation
Assignee: APPLIED MICROWAVE PLASMA CONCEPTS Inc 2075-N CORTE DEL NOGAL CARLSBAD CA 92008
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Filing: 1985-11-26
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Granted: 1988-03-22
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Expires: 2005-11-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed for producing microwave radiation wherein a generally stable, high-beta, relativistic electron plasma is formed and magnetically confined in a magnetic mirror region of a suitable enclosure, a convectively unstable wave then being created in the confined plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency of the plasma, the plasma preferably being formed by simultaneous multiple-frequency electron cyclotron heating and upper off-resonant heating using microwave power at frequencies above the electron gyrofrequency of the plasma. The above steps or functions are preferably sequentially repeated with sequential pulses of microwave radiation being withdrawn from the enclosure, focused by quasi-optical means and directed toward a target including electronic circuitry, the method and apparatus of the invention being preferably adapted for causing the beam of sequential pulses to be coupled into the electronic circuitry for developing substantial amounts of energy therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Raphael A. Dandl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 19:07
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J25/00; H01J25/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for producing pulses of high-power microwave radiation within an enclosure having a magnetic field, at least one magnetic mirror region, and a source of neutral gas to be ionized, comprising the steps of developing a selected gas pressure within the enclosure, generating the magnetic field at a strength suitable for causing electron cyclotron heating, introducing high frequency microwave energy of a selected frequency and power level into the magnetic mirror region, continuing electron cyclotron heating to form a generally stable, high-beta, relativistic electron plasma in the enclosure, and then inducing a convectively unstable wave into the plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency of the plasma.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for producing pulses of high-power microwave radiation within an enclosure having a magnetic field, at least one magnetic mirror region, and a source of neutral gas to be ionized, comprising the steps of developing a selected gas pressure within the enclosure, generating the magnetic field at a strength suitable for causing electron cyclotron heating, introducing high frequency microwave energy of a selected frequency and power level into the magnetic mirror region, continuing electron cyclotron heating to form a generally stable, high-beta, relativistic electron plasma in the enclosure, and then inducing a convectively unstable wave into the plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency of the plasma.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of electron cyclotron heating is carried out by simultaneously employing multiple-frequency electron cyclotron heating using microwave power at multiple, closely spaced frequencies to enhance the efficiency of creating the relativistic-electron plasma and upper off-resonant heating using microwave power at frequencies above the electron gyrofrequency for preferentially heating the relativistic-electron plasma whereby both plasma stability and stored energy in the plasma are greatly enhanced.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of inducing a convectively unstable wave into the plasma is carried out by first adiabatically compressing the magnetically confined plasma for perferentially increasing perpendicular velocity of energetic electrons within the plasma and thereby increasing perpendicular pressure in the plasma relative to parallel pressure in order to bring a substantial portion of the plasma into a uniform magnetic field region and to maximize transformation of stored energy into microwave pulse power.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step of adiabatic compression is simultaneously accompanied with field shaping of the magnetically confined plasma by supplemental magnet means for bringing the plasma equilibrium close to the threshold for whistler instability.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 wherein multiple magnetic mirror regions are formed within the enclosure by coaxially arranged magnetic coils.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of inducing a convectively unstable wave in the plasma is carried out for producing unstable whistler waves within the plasma.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 6 wherein the step of inducing a convectively unstable wave in the plasma further comprises producing of a transient cold-plasma layer in a peripheral portion of the magnetically confined plasma for reflecting growing whistler waves, thereby further maximizing conversion of stored plasma energy into microwave power.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein multiple magnetic mirror regions are formed within the enclosure by coaxially arranged magnetic coils.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of withdrawing the relatively intense microwave pulse from the enclosure through focusing means for concentrating the pulse into a beam of focused radiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the focusing means comprises a quasi-optical structure for receiving the microwave pulse from the enclosure and for transmitting the beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the prior steps of the method are sequentially repeated for producing a sequential output series of pulses in the beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the prior steps are sequentially repeated for producing a sequential output series of microwave pulses.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the step of inducing a convectively unstable wave is performed after electron-cyclotron heating has been continued for placing the generally stable, high-beta, relativistic electron plasma in a condition above its threshold for growth, the resulting pulse of radiation continuing until the anisotropy and beta condition of the plasma are reduced below its threshold for growth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of inducing the convectively unstable wave is carried out by actuation of auxiliary magnetic coils arranged in the enclosure in coaxial relation with the magnetically confined plasma, the auxiliary magnetic coils being deactuated after the pulse of radiation is reduced below the threshold for growth of the plasma in order to allow the magnetically confined plasma to relax to its initial mirror configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of withdrawing the sequential output series of microwave pulses from the enclosure through focusing means for concentrating the pulse into a beam of focused radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the focusing means comprises a quasi-optical structure for receiving the microwave pulse from the enclosure and for transmitting the beam of focused radiation.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of directing the beam of focused radiation toward a target including electronic circuit means, the prior steps being selectively carried out for causing the beam to be directly coupled into the electronic circuit means for developing substantial amounts of energy therein.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of producing microwave radiation, comprising the steps of (a) forming a generally stable, high-beta relativistic-electron plasma magnetically confined in a magnetic mirror region of an enclosure, (b) inducing a convectively unstable wave in the confined plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency of the plasma, (c) withdrawing the relatively intense microwave radiation pulse from the enclosure through focusing means for concentrating the radiation pulse into a beam of focused radiation, (d) sequentially repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) to produce a beam of sequential pulses, and (e) directing the beam of sequential pulses toward a target including electronic circuit means, steps (a), (b) and (c) being selectively carried out for causing the beam of sequential pulses to be coupled into the electronic circuit means for developing substantial amounts of energy therein.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of producing microwave radiation, comprising the steps of (a) forming a generally stable, high-beta relativistic-electron plasma magnetically confined in a magnetic mirror region of an enclosure, (b) inducing a convectively unstable wave in the confined plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency of the plasma, (c) withdrawing the relatively intense microwave radiation pulse from the enclosure through focusing means for concentrating the radiation pulse into a beam of focused radiation, (d) sequentially repeating steps (a), (b) and (c) to produce a beam of sequential pulses, and (e) directing the beam of sequential pulses toward a target including electronic circuit means, steps (a), (b) and (c) being selectively carried out for causing the beam of sequential pulses to be coupled into the electronic circuit means for developing substantial amounts of energy therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of forming the generally stable, high-beta, relativistic-electron plasma is carried out by means of electron cyclotron heating comprising simultaneous use of multiple-frequency electron cycloton heating using microwave power at multiple, closely spaced frequencies to enhance the efficiency of creating the relativistic-electron plasma and upper off-resonant heating using microwave power at frequencies above the electron gyrofrequency for preferentially heating the relativistic-electron plasma whereby both plasma stability and stored energy in the plasma are greatly enhanced.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of inducing a convectively unstable wave in the plasma is carried out by adiabatically compressing the magnetically confined plasma for preferentially increasing perpendicular velocity of energetic electrons within the plasma and thereby increasing perpendicular pressure in the plasma relative to parallel pressure in order to bring a substantial portion of the plasma into a uniform magnetic field region and to maximize transformation of stored energy into microwave pulse power.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the step of adiabatic compression is simultaneously accompanied with field shaping of the magnetically confined plasma by supplemental magnet means for bringing the plasma equilibrium close to the threshold for whistler instability.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the plasma is confined within a magnetic mirror region of an enclosure, the magnetic mirror region being formed by coaxially arranged magnetic coils.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of inducing a convectively unstable wave in the plasma is carried out for producing whistler waves of instability within the plasma.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 23 wherein the step of inducing a convectively unstable wave in the plasma further comprises the producing of a transient cold-plasma layer in a peripheral portion of the magnetically confined plasma for reflecting growing whistler waves, thereby further maximizing conversion of stored plasma energy into microwave power.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of employing electron cyclotron heating during formation of the confined plasma, the electron cyclotron heating being continued for placing the generally stable, high-beta, relativistic-electron plasma in a condition above its threshold for growth inducing a convectively unstable wave in the confined plasma for producing a resulting pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation, the resulting pulse of radiation continuing until the anisotropy and beta condition of the plasma are reduced below its threshold for growth.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
94 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the step of inducing a convectively unstable wave is carried out by actuation of auxiliary magnetic coils arranged in coaxial relation with an axis of the magnetically confined plasma, the auxiliary magnetic coils being deactuated after the pulse of radiation is reduced below the threshold for growth of the plasma in order to allow the magnetically confined plasma to relax to its initial mirror configuration, and then sequentially repeating the prior steps for producing sequential pulses of relatively intense microwave radiation for transformation into the sequential pulse beam.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for producing pulses of high power microwave radiation, comprising an enclosure having a magnetic field, at least one magnetic mirror region and a source of neutral gas to be ionized, means for developing a selected gas pressure within the enclosure, means for generating the magnetic field at a strength suitable for causing electron cyclotron heating, means for introducing high frequency microwave energy of a selected frequency and power level into the magnetic mirror region, the generating means being adapted for continuing electron cyclotron heating to form a generally stable, high-beta, relativistic-electron plasma in the enclosure, and means for introducing a convectively unstable wave in the plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency of the plasma.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
127 words
Apparatus for producing pulses of high power microwave radiation, comprising an enclosure having a magnetic field, at least one magnetic mirror region and a source of neutral gas to be ionized, means for developing a selected gas pressure within the enclosure, means for generating the magnetic field at a strength suitable for causing electron cyclotron heating, means for introducing high frequency microwave energy of a selected frequency and power level into the magnetic mirror region, the generating means being adapted for continuing electron cyclotron heating to form a generally stable, high-beta, relativistic-electron plasma in the enclosure, and means for introducing a convectively unstable wave in the plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency of the plasma.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the generating means comprises means for simultaneously performing multiple-frequency electron cyclotron heating using microwave power at multiple, closely spaced frequencies to enhance the efficiency of creating the relativistic-electron plasma and upper off-resonant heating using microwave power at frequencies above the electron gyrofrequency for preferentially heating the relativistic-electron plasma whereby both plasma stability and stored energy in the plasma are greatly enhanced.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the inducing means comprises means for adiabatically compressing the magnetically confined plasma for preferentially increasing perpendicular velocity of energetic electrons within the plasma and thereby increasing perpendicular pressure in the plasma relative to parallel pressure in order to bring a substantial portion of the plasma into a uniform magnetic field region and to maximize transformation of stored energy into microwave pulse power.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 29 further comprising supplemental magnet means adapted for simultaneous operation with the adiabatic compression means for field shaping of the magnetically confined plasma in order to bring the plasma equilibrium close to the threshold for whistler instability.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising means for withdrawing the relatively intense microwave pulse from the enclosure and focusing means for receiving the withdrawn pulse and concentrating it into a beam of focused radiation.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the focusing means comprises a quasi-optical structure for receiving the microwave pulse from the enclosure and for transmitting the beam.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 32 comprising control means for causing the other means in the apparatus to sequentially repeat their operating functions in order to produce a sequential output series of pulses in the beam.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for producing a pulse of microwave radiation, comprising means for forming a generally stable, high-beta, relativistic-electron plasma magnetically confined in a magnetic mirror region of an enclosure, means for inducing a convectively unstable wave in the confined plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency of the plasma. means for withdrawing the relatively intense microwave pulse from the enclosure through focusing means for concentrating the pulse into a beam of focused radiation, control means for regulating operation of the other apparatus means in a sequentially repeating manner to produce a beam of sequential pulses, and means for directing the beam of sequential pulses toward a target including electron circuit means, the control means being adapted for regulating operation of the other apparatus means for causing the beam of sequential pulses to be coupled into the electronic circuit means for developing substantial amounts of energy therein.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
156 words
Apparatus for producing a pulse of microwave radiation, comprising means for forming a generally stable, high-beta, relativistic-electron plasma magnetically confined in a magnetic mirror region of an enclosure, means for inducing a convectively unstable wave in the confined plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency of the plasma. means for withdrawing the relatively intense microwave pulse from the enclosure through focusing means for concentrating the pulse into a beam of focused radiation, control means for regulating operation of the other apparatus means in a sequentially repeating manner to produce a beam of sequential pulses, and means for directing the beam of sequential pulses toward a target including electron circuit means, the control means being adapted for regulating operation of the other apparatus means for causing the beam of sequential pulses to be coupled into the electronic circuit means for developing substantial amounts of energy therein.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-03-22 | 1991-09-21 | 1992-03-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-03-22 | 1995-09-21 | 1996-03-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-03-22 | 1999-09-21 | 2000-03-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |