X-Band Magnicon Amplifier Research at the Naval Research Laboratory.
Abstract
We present a progress report on a program to develop a high-power second harmonic magnicon amplifier at 11.4 6Hz for linear accelerator applications. The experiments are being carried out on the NRL Long-Pulse Accelerator Facility using a plasma cathode to create the electron beam. Typical beam parameters are 500 kV, 200 A, 5.5 mm diameter, with a approximately 300 nsec voltage flattop and a approximately 10(exp -2) Hz repetition rate. An initial deflection cavity experiment demonstrated two-cavity gain of approximately 15dB at a frequency ship of 0.18%, in good agreement with theory and simulation. A complete five cavity magnicon circuit was designed via computer simulation, fabricated, and cold tested. This circuit is now undergoing experimental tests. In preliminary experiments, a low power saturation effect was observed in the deflection cavities, apparently due to plasma formation caused by the diode x-ray flux and by inadequate vacuum conditions. Following a major effort to improve the vacuum and surface conditions, very recent experiments have shown that is possible to "burn through" this low power saturation effect, and achieve high fields in the deflection cavities. However, high power emission from the output cavity has not yet been observed. We are also evaluating new fourth magnicon designs via time-dependent multimode simulations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 19, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA293203
Entities
People
- Arne W. Fliflet
- Bahman Hafizi
- Steven H. Gold
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory