SBIR-STTR Award

Effectiveness of earth penetrating munitions will be enhanced when detonated at optimum depth by a new radar fuze sensor which detects buried structures. An ultrafast pulsar is required for the radar. A novel pulsar based on ordinary semiconductor devices in new modes will be developed. The feasibility of providing pulses of 10,000,000 watts, 50 ps resetime, at 1 kHz PRF from a 9 cubic inch package will be demonstrated by a combination of summation with experimental validation. The pulsar will be inexpensive to produce since it is based on standard components. In addition to the fuze sensor, the new pulsar will find wide commercial application in ground penetrating radar for automotive sensors and as a laboratory pulse generator for scientific research. The principal investigator has over 20 years experience in pulsars, pulse power, and ultrawideband systems, and is uniquely qualified to perform this work.

Keywords:
Pulse Ultrawideband Uwb Nanosecond Pulser Picosecond Radar Avalanche Transistor

The Phase I work demonstrated that electrically conductive metal silicide thin films are suitable for reducing electromagnetic interference while still permitting high transmittance in the 8-12 m wavelength IR region. However, no performance optimization was performed. The Phase II program proposes to continue with the success achieved in Phase I by expanding on the materials-related issues. The work initiated in Phase I will be extended to control the stoichiometry, crystallinity, and microstructures of the metal silicide thin films and to establish the relationships among the film properties, rf attenuation, and optical transmission. Several compositions with different Me/Si ratios will be sputtered on dielectric substrates and heat treated. Resulting microstructures and sheet resistivities will be evaluated as a function of the Me/Si ratio and heat treatment parameters. Mesh design and pattern deposition processes will be optimized to prepare test windows. Prepared windows will be tested for EM attenuation and IR transmission.|

Keywords:
Pulse Ultrawideband Uwb Nanosecond Pulser Picosecond Radar Avalanche Transistor