Present progress and future research in the relativistic klystron amplifier program at the Naval Research Laboratory

摘要

Abstract: This paper addresses the development of the relativistic klystron amplifier (RKA) which is a high power microwave (HPM) source. This source was invented at the Naval Research Laboratory and developed during the last ten years. The present RKA has a 50 db gain and is operated at a frequency of 1.3 GHz with a peak output power $GRT 10 GW and with an efficiency $GRT 35%. However this HPM amplifier is rather large and expensive for many applications. Moreover, extending the frequency of the NRL RKA to frequencies above 3.5 GHz was not fully successful. Recently, it was suggested that incorporation of two modifications to the RKA technology should improve the capabilities of the present NRL HPM source by orders of magnitude and extend the operational frequency to X-band. These improvements enhance the potential for successful and effective military and civilian applications. These modifications are described. !9