Impulse Loading of Sinuous Antennas by Ferroelectric Generators

A complete, compact system for generating a high E-field using ferroelectric generators (FEG) and sinuous antennas is presented. Significant advances in explosively driven ferroelectric generators have made them reliable, compact high voltage sources. These generators were used in a series of experiments to drive a variety of sinuous antennas. Design of the FEG - antenna systems are discussed. Open air testing and the associated instrumentation are presented as example of a low cost system that can be disposable when used with explosive generators. Sinuous antennas have several unique properties that make them of interest for impulse loading and experimental data elucidating these advantages are presented.