Focusing impulse radiating antenna for medical imaging

The use of prolate-spheroidal reflectors as part of sub-nanosecond impulse radiating antennas (IRA) allows us to generate near-field electric fields with high spatial resolution in biological tissue. This work focuses on the design and construction of subnanosecond pulse generators, which has resulted in a 160 ps, 50 kV, 50 Omega generator. The design of prolate-spheroidal antennas for these medical applications is pursued in cooperation with C. Baum at the University of New Mexico. A three-dimensional, time-dependent electromagnetic code (MAGIC) is used to model the electric field distribution in tissue. The pulse power research efforts are complemented by studies on the biological effect of subnanosecond electrical pulses.