Low Power Demonstration of a QUASIOPTICAL Active Pulse Compressor for High Power Millimeter-Waves

An active pulse compressor has been designed for operation at megawatt power levels at W-band frequencies. The results of low power tests at 95 GHz are presented. The pulse compressor consists of a 10 ns long, quasioptical resonant ring and a laser-driven semiconductor switch that dumps energy stored in the ring. Initial low power tests have demonstrated gain (Pout / Pin) greater than 25. This is limited by the 20 ns rise time of the laser used to drive the photoconductive switch. It is shown how a faster laser pulse could yield gain greater than 35, and design revisions could lead to gain greater than 50.