Compact, Submicrosecond Discharge Pulsed Power Capacitors

TRS Technologies, Inc. proposes to develop ceramic capacitors as discharge pulse power capacitors for high-power microwave (HPM) systems. In the phase I program TRS demonstrated that high breakdown strength can be achieved in multilayer ceramic capacitors by controlling microstructure. Antiferroelectric ceramic capacitor with 17 active layers developed on Phase I exhibited electric field as high as 640kV/cm. It was also observed that series design enables application voltage greater than 15000V. In this Phase II program we propose to further modify the process to find the optimum properties for pulse power application and research on scale up of the process for larger size and high volume prototype multilayer production. BENEFIT: The proposed program will enable development of high energy density multilayer capacitors with high application voltage and high energy density for use in pulse power application. Successful development and commercialization of these capacitors will, in turn, enable development of compact, light weight pulsed power supplies for a wide range of applications including military directed energy systems based on aircraft, ships, and ground vehicles.