>> However, for REAL damage, it would be useful to pulse the kilovolts into the
>> magnetron: Generally if you increase the voltage by 10, the power increases
>> by 100. Feed that microwave magnetron with brief (microseconds) pulses of
>> 40,000 volts, rather than 4000, and it will probably generate close to 100
>> kilowatts. It would be necessary to establish that such a system will not
>> arc with over-voltage, either within the waveguide or the associated
>> high-voltage wiring.
>high voltage solid state built into shielding around the
>waveguide/magnetron cavity presents smallest external hazard and
>compact too.
>of course, another order-of-mag level up in explosively pumped EW weapons :)