Description of HPM Generation in Atmospheric Air Using the Laser and Klystron Terminology

It is suggested that the high power microwave (HPM) generation in atmospheric air can be accounted by the concept developed in the design of and the excimer lasers. With this approach, some part of the energy from the high-voltage source is deposited in the high-speed electrons of the corona/spark discharges located in the resonant cavity. The cavity containing 100% reflector/mirror and partially transparent reflector/mirror, is arranged in such a way that RF/microwaves can bounce back and forth through the gain (corona/spark discharge) medium. This electromagnetic (radiation) wave causes the space charge waves in the glow/spark channel plasma. This process enables the bunching of high-speed electrons in the retarding zones of the space charge waves and the transfer of the energy from the corona/spark discharge into the radiation wave. It is believed that the same concept holds in the operation of the klystron, where the electron beam is used to generate the microwaves in the resonant cavities. The experimental results are presented to support these ideas.