ABSTRACT

There is a strong, symbiotic relationship between a developing technology and its applications. New technologies, or dramatic increases in the performance of an existing technology, can generate applications previously either unrealizable or impractical. Conversely, the demands posed by an existing application can spur the development of a new technological capability. Examples of both types can be found in the evolution of HPM. The high power and energy output made possible by HPM research have created a technology-driven interest in HPM directed energy weapons (DEWs). On the other hand, the requirements for electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) of fusion plasmas have resulted in an application-driven program to develop high-frequency, high-averagepower microwave sources. In this chapter, we will address the present state of such applications.