Single-spark ring transmitter

A novel type of spark transmitter using a circular arrangement of capacitors alternating with spark gaps was described previously. (K. Landecker and K. S. Imrie, "A novel type of high power pulse transmitter," Aust. J. Phys., vol. 13, 1960, pp. 638-654.) The circular array was arranged such that it formed an oscillating magnetic dipole radiating RF power directly without the use of additional radiating elements. It has now become possible to achieve the same result with the aid of a single-spark gap either by incorporating distributed circuit elements, essentially half-wave transmission lines acting as 1 to -1 transformers, into the arrangement, or by assembling the array of tightly coupled individual tuned circuits having a common single-spark gap. It is shown that the latter arrangement is superior to the use of distributed circuit elements. This results in a very great simplification of the design because the question of synchronization of a multiplicity of spark gaps does not arise. It is finally shown that the capacitors distributed equidistantly around the circumference of the transmitter may advantageously be replaced by one single ring-shaped capacitor.