Ultra-wide-band pulse generation and radiation using a high T c superconductor opening switch

• Published in: Applied physics letters Vol. 65; no. 8; pp. 1048 - 1050
• Main Authors: Lai, Y. S., Funk, E. E., Cao, W. L., Lee, Chi H., Shen, Zhi-Yuan, Pang, Philip, Kountz, Dennis J., Holstein, William L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 22-08-1994
• ISSN: 0003-6951; 1077-3118
• DOI: 10.1063/1.112148

A new method of generating ultra-wide-band electromagnetic pulses using a Tl2Ba2CaCu2O8 high Tc superconductor as a fast laser activated opening switch is presented. The superconductor is used as an opening switch with a current charged transmission line pulse forming network to produce jitter-free triggered square pulses which are radiated by an ultra-wide-band conical antenna. We report radiation and reception of pulses with center frequencies near 3.5 GHz and a bandwidth in excess of 80%. We also discuss how this technique can be used to assess various wide-band antenna designs.