The reflex-diode HPM source on Aurora

Abstract

The most recent in a series of experiments to develop the reflex diode as a source of microwaves on the Aurora relativistic electron-beam pulser is described. An overall output has been achieved for radial extraction of approximately 400 J in microwave bursts from approximately 100 to 150 ns at frequencies below 1 GHz. The diagnostics for radial extraction have included directional couplers, card calorimeters, and free-field sensors. The authors have varied the anode-cathode spacing, downstream microwave reflector, and a second anode foil, but, within the range of variations, no strong trends have been noted.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>