Computer simulation of the Lasertron

The concept of the Lasertron is described. A short bunch of electrons (short in time compared to the period of an RF cycle), is emitted from the cathode and accelerated by a dc potential toward the anode. An RF cavity, located just past the anode aperture, is the output cavity. The RF frequency is determined by the pulse rate of the electron bunches. Although other types of solid-state cathodes are possible, if a photo-cathode is used, then the light source will likely be a fast pulsing, hence the name Lasertron. The device cannot be properly called a Laser klystron since the name implies the waves of RF current by which a dc beam is bunched. In the Lasertron, the electrons are emitted bunched and it is only necessary to accelerate them before space charge forces cause too much debunching.