An advanced relativistic magnetron operating with a split cathode and separated anode segments

Abstract

We report the successful operation of an advanced relativistic magnetron made up of separate anode segments and fed by a split cathode as suggested by Leopold et al. [Phys. Plasmas 27, 103102 (2020)]. A split cathode has the advantage that the emitter is placed outside the interaction region so that the cathode plasma does not cause pulse shortening. We find that the split cathode-fed magnetron performs as well as a common explosive emission plasma cathode but without the appearance of microwave pulse shortening during ∼200 ns while the pulsed generator is at its maximum power. The angular magnetron segments facilitate longitudinal slits in the magnetron's anode block, which allows for fast magnetic field penetration. This drastically decreases the power requirements of the pulsed generator feeding the axial insulating magnetic field producing solenoid and does not affect the operation of the magnetron. This results not only in a compact system but also in overall high electrical efficiency and the possibility to operate the relativistic magnetron in a repetitive mode.