STUDY OF MICROWAVE GENERATION BY MEANS OF ELECTRON BEAM INTERACTION WITH ANISOTROPIC MEDIA.
Abstract
The possibility of generating a microwave signal by means of an interaction between electron streams and various anisotropic media is investigated. In particular, properties of microwave slow-wave systems made of plasmas and pyrolytic graphites are studied to determine the feasibility of utilizing such slow-wave systems as circuits in beam-type microwave oscillators. Results of an experimental study on the surface-wave mode (backward-wave) of propagation in annular plasma columns is presented. Properties of the positive column of a dc discharge contained within two co-axial glass tubings are measured, and some basic differences between the discharge column and the ideal model of the plasma used for the analysis are pointed out. The density distribution is shown to be non-uniform, and the variation of the density profile with axial magnetic field is noted. Surface-wave modes of propagation predicted from the uniform quiescent plasma model are observed experimentally. The attenuation of the wave is observed to increase rapidly when a small magnetic field in the axial direction is applied. A theory of resonance absorption mechanism which occurs as a result of a gross density inhomogeneity is presented as a possible explanation for the enhanced attenuation observed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0615555
Entities
People
- J. M. Osepchuk
- R. J. Briggs
- S. F. Paik
Organizations
- RTX