Novel concept for pulse compression via structured spatial energy distribution

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new pulse compression method using structured energy distribution in cavities with degenerate band-edge modes, promising improved performance and compact design for RF, microwave, and optical applications.

Contribution

The paper proposes a novel cavity design leveraging degenerate band-edge modes for enhanced pulse compression, including larger quality factors and energy concentration, adaptable to various frequencies.

Findings

Higher loaded quality factor compared to conventional cavities

Reduced cavity size using lumped circuit equivalents

Robustness to cavity loading and energy extraction variations

Abstract

We present a novel concept for pulse compression scheme applicable at RF, microwave and possibly to optical frequencies based on structured energy distribution in cavities supporting degenerate band-edge (DBE) modes. For such modes a significant fraction of energy resides in a small fraction of the cavity length. Such energy concentration provides a basis for superior performance for applications in microwave pulse compression devices (MPC) when compared to conventional cavities. The novel design features: larger loaded quality factor of the cavity and stored energy compared to conventional designs, robustness to variations of cavity loading, energy feeding and extraction at the cavity center, substantial reduction of the cavity size by use of equivalent lumped circuits for low energy sections of the cavity, controlled pulse shaping via engineered extraction techniques. The presented concepts are general, in terms of equivalent transmission lines, and can be applied to a variety of realistic guiding structures.