A new voltage-controlled millimeter thyratron wave-guide switch with large switching ratio over full waveguide bandwidth

The use of geometrical techniques to provide a converging plasma in order to achieve high charge densities is treated in this report. The applicability of this phenomenon in achieving plasma resonance frequencies in the millimeter range without applying either relatively high drive energy or external magnetic fields is evaluated both experimentally and analytically. An experimental mode employing a focusing cone to cause plasma convergence over a small volume located within a WR28 (26 to 40 GHz) waveguide was used as a test vehicle. Experimental measurements reveal high rf isolation capabilities over full waveguide bandwidth when the model is active, and extremely low rf loss when it is passive.