Coaxial cavity vircator with enhanced efficiency

A vircator with a coaxial cavity has the potential to increase the beam-microwave conversion efficiency. According to the E-field distribution pattern of the modes in the anode cavity of a coaxial vircator, the resonant frequency band of the injected electron beam and the lowest two operating modes are derived. The main frequency of the virtual cathode is also deduced. The optimal operating frequency and high-efficiency designing method of a coaxial cavity vircator is discussed. An experimental setup is designed and built to test the high-power microwave (HPM) generation mechanism described by theoretical analysis as well as increase the power efficiency. HPM frequency obtained in the experiment is in good agreement with the analysis. The power and energy efficiencies obtained in the experiment are, respectively, 8.7% and 6.8% with 50 ns pulse width. Frequency and phase stable HPM radiation is observed as well as pulse shortening is evidently depressed.