Pulse Shortening and Plasma Filling Studies on the UNM Long-Pulse BWO Experiment
Abstract
Pulse shortening is a phenomenon common among all high power microwave devices. Whereas electron beam propagation in the device may be for several microseconds or more, microwave pulse duration is typically no more than ≈ 100 ns. Specific reasons for pulse shortening may vary among devices. However most explanations of the phenomenon put forth involve the introduction of plasma into the interaction region near the walls and/or the degradation of beam quality. Introduction of plasmas along the axis of the device, however, has been shown to enhance efficiency and microwave power output. This paper presents results from studies of both pulse shortening and plasma-filling in high power backward wave oscillators (BWO's). These experiments have been conducted at the University of New Mexico (UNM) on the UNM Long-Pulse BWO Experiment. A description of the experimental setup, diagnostics, and the novel plasma injection system used in these studies will be presented along with recent data.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- November 1996
- Bibcode:
- 1996APS..DPP..1Q28G