Propagation Characteristics of High Power Microwave in Rectangular Waveguide Filled with Time-Varying Plasma

In this paper, the propagation characteristics of high power microwave (HPM) in rectangular waveguide filled with time-varying plasma is studied using a 3-D fluid model. The propagation properties are influenced by parameters of the plasma and microwave, such as the electron density, distribution of plasma and the frequency of microwave. The breakdown process of the air in waveguide and the generation of the plasma are presented, and the reflection and absorption of microwave by the plasma are analyzed. These results are useful in analysis of HPM propagation in microwave devices when air breakdown occurs, and helpful to improve the performance of HPM devices.