SAPIENS memo 9: The dependance of the electric field on the inductance of the termination

Measurements of the electric field in the EMP simulator revealed deviations from an ideal curve shape, the largest deviation coming from the termination of the simulator antenna. High frequency components radiate through the termination, and low frequency ones are terminated by a resistive load. The space in between, where the wavelength is equal to the dimension of the termination, presents difficulties; the inductance of the termination is crucial. By increasing the area of the lines connecting the resistors of the termination, the inductance can be reduced. It is shown how reflections from the termination can be diminished from 10% to 2% by replacing the lines with cylinders made of chicken-wire.