High-Efficiency Relativistic Backward-Wave Oscillator: Theory and Design

摘要

Backward-wave oscillators driven by high current relativistic electron beams are capable of producing high power coherent radiation in the centimeter and millimeter wavelength regimes. However, the efficiency of these devices is usually limited to 15%-20% when a homogeneous slow-wave structure is used. Utilizing a two-section slow wave structure, where the spatial period of the second section is larger than that of the first section, a BWO efficiency of greater than 509c was calculated. A conceptual design of a high efficiency S-band backward-wave oscillator driven by a 500 kV, 5 kA electron beam has been developed and analyzed.