High power microwave generation at high repetition rates
Generation of microwaves at high power has progressed largely with single shot devices. Yet applications require repetitive operation at substantial repetition rates, implying high average power. This requires operation in a new domain for microwave devices. The technical challenge is to achieve very high electric fields in the source on a repetitive basis. We describe experiments on CLIA, a Compact Linear Induction Accelerator, generating 750 kV, 10 kA using magnetic switching to produce 60 ns pulses. We describe experiments with relativistic magnetrons and klystrons in the 1 GW, 100 Hz domain. As a first application we used CLIA to drive a water-cooled L-band magnetron at repetition rates as high as 250 Hz with no breakdown or pulse shortening. This gave 6.3 kW average power. A short burst at 1 kHz operated at ≈25 kW. In this regime operation is not limited by gas build-up, electrode erosion or microwhisker depletion. We are now operating on CLIA with relativistic klystrons of both the high current and low current varieties. Beams with modulated current powers of ≈ 1 GW have been generated at 200 Hz for bursts as long as 1000 pulses.
Techniques for high power microwave sources at high average power
Experiments on CLIA (compact linear induction accelerator), capable of generating 750 kV and 10 kA into a matched load using magnetic switching to produce 60 ns long pulses, are described. As a first application, the authors used CLIA to drive a water-cooled L-band magnetron at repetition rates as high as 250 Hz with no breakdown or pulse shortening. This gives an average power of 6.3 kW. A short burst at 1 kHz demonstrates operation that would translate to an average power of approximately 25 kW. In this regime operation is not limited by gas build-up, electrode erosion or microwhisker depletion. Currently, the authors are operating on CLIA with a high current relativistic klystron. Beams with modulated current powers of approximately 1 GW have been generated at 100 Hz for bursts as long as 5000 pulses. It is concluded that there are no apparent obstacles to much higher average powers at higher peak powers. >
Some design considerations on using modulated intense annular electron beams for particle acceleration
The space‐charge wave and the stability of an intense annular electron beam propagating in a metallic pipe are examined. It is shown that the beam can propagate stably in the parameter regime of some proposed experiments where such a beam is used to generate an electromagnetic wake for particle acceleration. Modulation of an intense beam with a large diameter appears promising at high frequencies.