Study of high-power pulsed RF generators based on a hollow-cathode discharge

Abstract

Results are presented from studies of physical principles underlying operation of high-power pulsed RF generators based on a hollow-cathode discharge (HCD). Various types of instabilities that may occur in an HCD and lead to 100% RF modulation of the electrode voltage in the megahertz frequency range are discussed. The design, electric characteristics, and operating modes of HCD-based RF generators are described. Results of experiments aimed at increasing the power and duration of RF pulses are presented. It is demonstrated that such devices are capable of generating 10- to 220-MHz pulses with a power of up to 8 MW, duration of up to 10 µs, and repetition rate of 1 kHz. The discharge chambers of such generators are very simple in design, they have very high stability, and their efficiency reaches 35%.