Compact MILO device fed by a compact Marx generator

The Magnetically Insulated Line Oscillator (MILO) is a high power microwave (RPM) pulsed device, potentially of gigawatt power, that combines the technologies of magnetically insulated electron flow with a slow wave structure. This combination makes the tube a device capable of operating over a wide voltage range. So far, the pulsed power generators driving these tubes are relatively large. Our concern is to design a cost effective and compact experimental setup, including several probes placed at critical points. Our concept uses a compact ISL Marx generator associated with a small size MILO tube operated first for tests and calibration. Attention is paid to the phases of the evolution of the electric discharge and to the pulse shape delivered by the Marx to create a significant microwave emission. The optimization of the design of the resonator is supported by electromagnetic PIC numerical simulations. The main aim is the transfer of a significant electromagnetic energy from the generator to the diode in a short time range, less than 20 ns, thus the emission of a rather long microwave pulse. Finally, we present a 2.5 m high and 250 kg prototype built by the EMW-ISL team.