Operational features and microwave characteristics of the Vircator II experiment

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/27.3812· OSTI ID:6889495

Price, D; Fittinghoff, O; Benford, J; Sze, H; Woo, W

The Vircator II oscillating virtual-cathode microwave source operates with diode voltages between 600 and 800 kV and diode current between 50 and 120 kA. Maximal microwave output power between 200 and 500 MW is achieved when the diode aspect ratio, cathode surface, charge voltage, and extraction coupling are arranged to simultaneously 1) maximize diode voltage, 2) satisfy magnetic insulation criteria, 3) avoid nonuniform or unstable electron emission, and 4) optimize microwave transmission from the virtual cathode to the launching antenna. Broad-band radiation between 0.4 and 5.5 GHz is generated. The central frequency follows the beam plasma frequency. It is tuned by varying the current density with anode-cathode (A-K) gap adjustments.

• Research Organization: Physics International Co., San Leandro, CA (US)
• OSTI ID: 6889495
• Journal Information: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci.; (United States) Vol. 16:2; ISSN ITPSB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ANTENNAS
DATA
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON DENSITY
EMISSION SPECTRA
EQUIPMENT
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
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