Demonstrating gain in a dielectric Cherenkov maser with a rod slow-wave system

Abstract

We report the first results of experiments that demonstrate the amplification of megawatt nanosecond microwave pulses in a Cherenkov maser with a dielectric rod and moderately relativistic annular electric beam generated in a compact linear induction accelerator module. The input signal was generated by a resonant microwave compressor operating in a 3-cm wavelength range. A maximum gain of ∼12.5 dB and a maximum output power of ∼16 MW for a pulse duration of ∼4 ns at a frequency of 9.388 GHz were obtained with a quartz rod. The dependence of the gain on the compressor power was determined for various values of the accelerating voltage and beam current.