X-band magnicon amplifier research at the Naval Research Laboratory
- Beam Physics Branch, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375 (United States)
- Icarus Research, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 (United States)
We present a progress report on a program to develop a high-power second harmonic magnicon amplifier at 11.4 GHz for linear accelerator applications. The experiments are being carried out on the NRL Long-Pulse Accelerator Facility using a plasma cathode to create the electron beam. Typical beam parameters are 500 kV, 200 A, 5.5 mm diameter, with a {similar_to}300 nsec voltage flattop and a {similar_to}10{sup {minus}2} Hz repetition rate. An initial deflection cavity experiment demonstrated two-cavity gain of {similar_to}15 dB at a frequency shift of {minus}0.18%, in good agreement with theory and simulation. A complete five cavity magnicon circuit was designed via computer simulation, fabricated, and cold tested. This circuit is now undergoing experimental tests. In preliminary experiments, a low power saturation effect was observed in the deflection cavities, apparently due to plasma formation caused by the diode x-ray flux and by inadequate vacuum conditions. Following a major effort to improve the vacuum and surface conditions, very recent experiments have shown that it is possible to ``burn through`` this low power saturation effect, and achieve high fields in the deflection cavities. However, high power emission from the output cavity has not yet been observed. We are also evaluating new fourth harmonic magnicon designs via time-dependent multimode simulations. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AI02-94ER40861
- OSTI ID:
- 115774
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410218--
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 337; ISSN APCPCS; ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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