SBIR-STTR Award

Metamagnetics Inc. proposes to leverage its expertise in the development, synthesis and characterization of advanced ferrites for RF, microwave and millimeter-wave applications to identify, analyze and address the ferrite materials challenges pertaining to high power microwave (HPM) generation systems developed in recent years. Measurement techniques that assess the performance of commercially available ferrite materials in HPM applications will be developed during the proposed Phase I effort. These techniques will be utilized to conduct a comprehensive study and identify materials properties responsible for the current limitations in operational capabilities of HPM systems, such as frequency limits of operation, peak power capability, repetition rate, high frequency losses, as well as system size, cost and weight. Theoretical models describing the dynamic saturation processes and magnetic viscosity of ferrite materials under fast rise-time pulse excitations will be developed and predictions compared with experimental data. These experiments will establish a solid foundation for the development of advanced ferrite materials specifically optimized for HPM generation applications in a follow-on Phase II effort. A systematic characterization of ferrite materials in the context of HPM has never been attempted and may prove enabling to the development of next generation systems with enhanced capabilities.

Benefit:
Current DoD HPM technology transition plans are focused on aircraft self protection, anti-ship missile defense, counter munitions, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and C2W/IW. Potential Warfighter payoffs include generic protection against a wide variety of missile/munition threats, improved effectiveness and lower attrition rates of friendly systems, and negation of enemy command, control, and general information systems. The total available high power microwave and mm-wave sources market, presently dominated by vacuum electron devices, is valued at approximately $1B. Commercial applications include space communications, energy research and medical electronics systems. The technology discussed in this proposal will lead to the realization of next generation HPM sources that are all solid-state, reliable, efficient, and scalable. As a result, these devices are expected to capture a significant share of the global high power microwave sources market.

Keywords:
electromagnetic shock waves, electromagnetic shock waves, magnetic pulse compression, High Power Microwaves, Ferrites, Microwave sources, non-linear transmission lines, solitons, non-linear materials

Microwave oscillators based on ferrimagnetic precession and excited with a fast-rise time pulsed input have been proposed to achieve high power microwave (HPM) generation. The properties of ferrite materials utilized in such systems impose limitations on performance, including peak power capability, internal heating, and maximum repetition rate. In order to improve the efficiency of HPM generation, the development of novel materials with properties optimized specifically for this application is pursued. Key materials properties were identified during the Phase I effort, in which a rigorous commercially available materials characterization program was executed. These findings formed a solid foundation for a follow-on Phase II program, in which specialized ferrite materials will be developed for HPM generation applications. The properties of the materials will first be optimized on a research scale, followed by the development of manufacturing processes to allow for mass production necessary for technology transition and commercialization. The newly developed materials will be used to fabricate ferrite core prototypes for HPM generators and thoroughly validated in a representative environment. The capability to produce prototype components in a production relevant environment will also be demonstrated.

Benefit:
The enabling advances by Metamagnetics scientists made it possible to produce advanced ferrite materials to be used in non-linear transmission line structures for applications in high power microwave generation, ground penetrating radar, counter-IED measures, and ultra-wideband. These materials will allow for increased peak power capability and pulse energy, resulting in increased range and frequency agility, thus contributing to mission success and survivability. Phase II research and development efforts will be concentrated on optimization of materials properties specifically for NLTL applications, as well as on the refinement of high power electronics, transmission lines, and control circuitry for efficiency, power consumption, size, weight, cost, and reliability. The combination of multiple transmission lines into a single phased array emitter holds the potential of greatly increased peak power capability, ability to electronically scan the beam, etc. Enhanced frequency tunability of non-linear transmission lines will allow for spectral techniques to be applied in detection and mitigation of underground threats.

Keywords:
Ferromagnetic resonance, Ferrite, high power microwave, non-linear transmission line