A compact relativistic backward-wave oscillator with metallized plastic components

摘要

This letter presents the mechanism and realization of a compact relativistic backward-wave oscillator with metallized plastic components. The physical idea, specific structure, and the main testing results are presented. The three periods slow-wave structures with both inner and outer ripples and the coaxial extractor are designed to reduce the volume and increase the efficiency of the device. The metallized plastic components replacing the stainless steel components in the high power microwave (HPM) sources are put forward to reduce the device weight. In the initial experiment, a microwave with frequency of 1.54 GHz, power of 1.97 GW, efficiency of 33.5%, and pulse duration above 47 ns is generated, which proves that this technical route is feasible. Undoubtedly, the technical route can provide a guide to design other types of HPM sources and be benefit to the practical application of the compact HPM systems.