Photoconductive Switch-Based HPM for Airborne Counter-IED Applications

We describe the technology and experimental work done at Polarix Corporation on photoconductive switch-based high-power microwaves systems for airborne counter-improvised explosive device (IED) applications. We address the fluence requirement for nanosecond pulse range for coupling to IED harnesses both theoretically and experimentally. We describe some of the key elements of the technology and the system being developed. They include silicon backed biased junction switch technology, low inductance-high current switch integration with thin film Blumlein type circuits, multiswitch multicycle generation, and radiation concepts using asymmetric Wheeler-Chu apertures for side firing small diameter but long unmanned aerial vehicles platforms. We will also present the experimental results showing switch source and radiator performance.