High-power microwave generation from virtual cathode in foilless diode (vircator)

Abstract

In this letter we investigate experimentally the microwave radiation generation in a foilless diode. The source of the radiation is a virtual cathode which is formed by the injection of excess current into the drift region. The behaviour of microwave power from an external guiding magnetic field is investigated for three cathode diameters. Symmetrical and nonsymmetrical TM modes are observed, and the wavelength f radiation is measured. The peak microwave power produced was 10±5 MW, which corresponds to 1% efficiency.