High power microwave research at Culham

Research into high power microwave (HPM) sources and associated technology commenced at Culham (UK) in 1984 under a contract from, what was then, RAF Farnborough; since then, under successive contracts from the DRA, a comprehensive facility has been established which is used for an experimental programme supported by computer modelling. Research is currently concentrated on the magnetically insulated line oscillator (MILO) and explosive emission cathodes for repetitive operation. The HPM facility is based on two pulse generators, each consisting of a 1.4 MV, 6 kT Marx generator that pulse-charges a water line, one of 10 Ohm the other 20 Ohm. One generator powers an S-band vircator capable of delivering some hundred megawatts into a small anechoic chamber, while the other is used for MILO experiments. (2 pages)