Analysis of microwave interference switches with distributed power of switched wave and plasma gas-discharge switching

Abstract

This paper reports on development of effective cascade type microwave interference switches using waveguide H-tees providing total transition attenuation value of about -50dB at the non-transmitting state, the power losses of -2-3dB at the transmitting state, and the working power compared to the one of a regular waveguide. These switches have different types of connections of two or three H-tees. Different designs provide different distributions of switched wave power between tees and provide different power levels of the switched wave. Characteristics of the switches made of tees matched from their side arms and of unmatched ones were calculated using the scattering matrix method. It was shown the matched tees used in the design allow decreasing by several times the power level of the switched wave and that increases the operating power and stability of the switching process. While some definite combination of unmatched tees allow increasing the power level of the switched wave and may provide effective switching of the transmitted wave at decreased power level. It was shown experimentally the cascade switches could be used as effective energy extraction device in an active resonant microwave compressor also.