Shielded-source, short-pulse microwave propagation experiments

Abstract

The propagation of short-pulse, high-power microwaves through a neutral gas has been studied and breakdown limits determined in an experimental configuration in which the neutral gas test cell was carefully shielded from x-rays emanating from the high-power microwave tube. In this manner the possible x-ray generation of free electrons in the test cell was minimized. Results are compared with previous experiments in which the test cell was not shielded from the source.