What is it about?
We compared two ways of powering an S-band 6-vane segmented axial output device that generates high-power microwave pulses. One way uses a split cathode, and the other uses a solid cathode. We found that both methods work well and can produce pulses with up to 165 MW of power. The efficiency of microwave generation is also similar, at about 65%.
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Why is it important?
For over 50 years, researchers have been studying the relativistic magnetron, a device that can generate high-power microwave pulses in microseconds. Despite its potential, two issues have limited its practical application: pulse shortening from the explosive plasma emission cathode and neglecting the power required to feed the magnetic field producing system when calculating efficiency. To address these problems, we replaced the explosive emission solid with a split cathode and used a magnetron with a segmented anode. This work aims to improve the efficiency and practicality of the relativistic magnetron.
Perspectives
We found that both cathodes work well, producing pulses up to 165 MW with a microwave generation efficiency of about 65%. The power output and efficiency were impressive, especially at a distance of 115 cm from the output window. Additionally, we found that using a segmented anode allows for a more compact magnetic field producing system, enabling the RM to operate repeatedly in microseconds. In future research, we plan to optimize parameters to generate even more powerful HPM pulses with power exceeding 300 MW and repetition rates up to 10 Hz, which would have important applications.
Oleg Belozerov
Technion Israel Institute of Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Characterizing the high-power-microwaves radiated by an axial output compact S-band A6 segmented magnetron fed by a split cathode and powered by a linear induction accelerator, Journal of Applied Physics, April 2023, American Institute of Physics,
DOI: 10.1063/5.0138769.
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