Generation of powerful ultrashort electromagnetic pulses based on superradiance

Experimental results of the observation of superradiation from intense, subnanosecond electron bunches moving through a periodic waveguide and interacting with a backward propagating TM01 wave are presented. The ultra-short microwave pulses in Ka, W, and G band were generated with repetition frequencies of up to 25 Hz. Observation of RF breakdown of ambient air, as well as direct measurements by hot-carrier germanium detectors, leads to an estimate of the peak power as high as 60-120 MW for the 300-400 ps pulses at 38 GHz. The initial observation of 75 GHz 10-15 MW radiation pulses with duration less than 150 ps, and of 150 GHz microwave spikes with a risetime of 75ps are also reported. Comparison with simulations is discussed as well