Low-noise microwave magnetrons by azimuthally varying axial magnetic field

A technique has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the noise in microwave oven magnetrons. The technique employs permanent magnets to generate an azimuthally varying axial magnetic field. Noise measurements are reported which show dramatic reductions in the noise of kW oven magnetrons operating near 2.45 GHz. The noise reduction near the carrier is some 30 dB. Microwave sidebands are reduced or eliminated. Noise reduction occurs at all anode currents, but is particularly significant at low current near the start-oscillation condition. © 2003 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70840/2/APPLAB-83-10-1938-1.pd

Simulation of rapid startup in microwave magnetrons with azimuthally varying axial magnetic fields

A method is proposed whereby the startup of a magnetron may be hastened. For a N-cavity magnetron operating in the pi mode, the formation of the N/2 electron spokes is much more rapid when an azimuthally varying axial magnetic field of N/2 periodicity is employed. Electromagnetic particle-in-cell code simulations are presented that show electron prebunching by the azimuthally varying axial magnetic field, long before the pi mode is excited. © 2004 American Institute of Physics.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70412/2/APPLAB-84-6-1016-1.pd

Cathode priming of a relativistic magnetron

A cathode priming technique of a relativistic magnetron is analyzed via a three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulation. By imposing a threefold azimuthal variation on the emitting cathode of a six-cavity relativistic magnetron, the electrons are prebunched at birth. This leads to fast startup of the pi mode with three electron spokes. Suppression of unwanted modes during startup is observed in the simulation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70492/2/APPLAB-85-26-6332-1.pd

Modeling and experimental studies of magnetron injection locking

A phase-locking model has been developed from circuit theory to qualitatively explain the various regimes observed in magnetron injection-locking experiments. The experiments utilize two continuous-wave oven magnetrons: one functions as an oscillator and the other as a driver. The model includes both magnetron-specific electronic conductance and frequency-pulling parameter. Both time and frequency domain solutions are developed from the model, allowing investigations into the growth and saturation as well as the frequency response of the output signal. This simplified model recovers qualitatively many of the phase-locking frequency characteristics observed in the experiments.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87313/2/114903_1.pd

Magnetron priming by multiple cathodes

A relativistic magnetron priming technique using multiple cathodes is simulated with a three-dimensional, fully electromagnetic, particle-in-cell code. This technique is based on electron emission from N/2N∕2 individual cathodes in an NN-cavity magnetron to prime the ππ mode. In the case of the six-cavity relativistic magnetron, ππ-mode start-oscillation times are reduced up to a factor of 4, and mode competition is suppressed. Most significantly, the highest microwave field power is observed by utilizing three cathodes compared to other recently explored priming techniques.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87840/2/081501_1.pd

Projection ablation lithography cathode for high-current, relativistic magnetron

Initial results are presented of an innovative cathode operating in a relativistic magnetron powered by an accelerator with parameters: −0.3 MV−0.3MV, 1–10 kA1–10kA, and 0.5 μs0.5μs pulse length. This cathode is fabricated by ablating a pattern on the cathode using a KrF laser. This projection ablation lithography (PAL) cathode has demonstrated fast current turn-on and microwave startup times have decreased from an average of 193 to 118 ns193to118ns. The pulselength of 1 GHz1GHz microwave oscillation has increased from a 144 ns144ns average to 217 ns217ns. With these improvements in microwave startup and pulse length, the microwave power has approximately remained the same compared to the previously used cloth cathodes. A new triple-azimuthal emission region is tested as means of prebunching the electrons (“cathode priming”) into the three spokes desired for pi mode operation in a six-cavity magnetron. The Tri-PAL cathode priming results in the fastest startup and highest efficiency of relativistic magnetron microwave generation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/70745/2/RSINAK-75-9-2976-1.pd

Mode Competition in Relativistic Magnetrons and Injection Locking in KW Magnetrons

Both relativistic and nonrelativistic magnetrons are under experimental and theoretical investigation at U of M. Relativistic (Titan‐6‐vane) magnetron experiments (300–400 kV, 1–10 kA, 0.5 microsecond) investigate mode control with various output coupling geometries. Mode competition between the pi mode and the 2/3 pi mode has been characterized for two‐versus‐three output extractors for comparison with particle in cell simulations. Phase measurements and time‐frequency‐analysis are performed for mode identification. Peak microwave output power on the order 0.5 GW has been measured, assuming equal output from 3 waveguides. Nonrelativistic (4 kV, <1A, kW microwave power) magnetron experiments are performed on commercial oven magnetrons for an in‐depth investigation of crossed‐field injection‐locking and noise. Injection‐locking is demonstrated by utilizing an oven magnetron as a reflection amplifier. Noise generation is explored as a function of injected signal and cathode conditions. © 2003 American Institute of PhysicsPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/87505/2/301_1.pd