rf mode switching in a relativistic magnetron with diffraction output

Abstract

The relativistic magnetron with diffraction output (RMDO) has demonstrated nearly 70% efficiency in recent simulations. This letter reports a rapid mode switching technique in the RMDO using a low power, short-pulse, external single frequency signal. The MAGIC electromagnetic finite-difference-time-domain particle-in-cell code used in simulations demonstrated that an input signal of 300 kW is sufficient to switch neighboring modes in a gigawatt output power A6 RMDO with a transparent cathode, whereas for the original A6 magnetron configuration with radial extraction driven by a transparent cathode 30 MW is required. This frequency agility adds additional versatility to this high power microwave source.