Method and apparatus for forming an agile plasma mirror effective as a microwave reflector
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsWallace M. Manheimer, Anthony E. Robson, Robert A. Meger
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for forming plasma sheets of preselected planar curvature, which can be used as mirrors for X-Band microwaves and above. A plasma is created using a shaped cathode. Confining magnetic fields maintains the plasma in the shape of the cathode. Additional magnetic fields can provide additional curvature to the plasma sheet.
Claims9
An apparatus for forming a planar sheet of plasma, said sheet being effective to reflect electromagnetic radiation, said apparatus comprising:
- a gas;
- and
- a cathode exposed to said gas;
- means for applying a magnetic confinement field to said gas;
- wherein said cathode extends along an elongate distance having a preselected curvature transverse to said field;
- said apparatus further comprising:
- means for triggering formation of a plasma in said gas;
- wherein said means for triggering, said cathode, and said means for applying are effective to produce said sheet of plasma with a cross-section having a curvature, in a plane transverse to said field, of substantially the same curvature as said preselected curvature.
An method for forming a planar sheet of plasma, said sheet being effective to reflect electromagnetic radiation, said method comprising steps for:
- providing a gas;
- providing a cathode exposed to said gas, said cathode having an elongate distance of a preselected curvature;
- applying a magnetic confinement field to said gas;
- wherein said step for providing said cathode disposes said elongate distance of said cathode transverse to said field;
- said method further comprising a step for triggering formation of a plasma in said gas;
- wherein said steps for triggering, providing a cathode, and applying a magnetic confinement field, are effective to produce said sheet of plasma with a cross-section having a curvature, in a plane transverse to said field, of substantially the same curvature as said preselected curvature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.