Abstract
Theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies of a vircator with the premodulation of a dm-wave electron beam are performed. Possible oscillation mechanisms in virtual-cathode systems (modulation of passing current, effect of reflex klystron, and inertial bunching of particles reflected) are analyzed. The microwave efficiency of the vircator using a two-gap electrodynamic system is shown to be significantly higher than that of the vircator with a one-gap system. Based on the results of the numerical experiment, a prototype of a two-stage vircator in the absence of an external magnetic field is designed. In experiments using a high-current pulsed-periodic accelerator, single-mode oscillations with a power of up to 1 GW, a duration of ≈25 ns, and an efficiency of ≈5% are generated in the dm-wave range. The oscillation frequency is demonstrated to be stable during a pulse and from pulse to pulse, which suggests the decisive effect of the electrodynamic system. It is shown that the oscillation frequency can continuously be tuned in a half-power bandwidth of ≈15% by varying the parameters of the resonator.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 595-603 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Technical Physics |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 May 2002 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)