Cerenkov radiation in dielectric-loaded waveguides

The use of Cerenkov radiation as a source of high frequency, high power microwave radiation is dealt with in detail. Using the Cerenkov interaction, when a relativistic electron beam is passed down the center of a dielectric-lined waveguide, microwave radiation at frequencies in excess of l50 GHz and power levels of about l W were produced. In addition, microwave radiation with approximately l kW of peak power at frequencies between 20 GHz and 35 GHz were observed. These results and a theoretical model serve to explain many of the experimental observations and the basic scaling of such a Cerenkov microwave generator. By the proper manipulation of the various parameters of the experiment it is shown theoretically how a Cerenkov generator might be scaled in such a way as to be a viable source of high power, submillimeter radiation. Finally, specific methods which may be applied to the present experimental efforts in order to investigate the various ways in which higher output frequencies and powers may be obtained.