An extended interaction oscillator based on a complex resonator structure

We report experimental investigation of a novel scheme for efficient interaction between a linear electron beam and an electromagnetic wave in a complex extended interaction structure. The structure of interest consists of a high R/Q, five-gap, coupled-cavity resonator that incorporates a coaxial section of a quarter plasma wavelength placed between the first and second cavities. In the coaxial section, beam and wave propagate in separate channels. The first cavity, strongly coupled to the other cavities through the wave channel of the coaxial section, serves as a buncher cavity. An inner channel running through the center conductor of the coaxial section provides a cutoff drift space for ballistic bunching of electrons, an effect that is shown to significantly enhance the interaction efficiency. Oscillation power of 2.2 kW at 16.6 GHz was demonstrated with an interaction efficiency of 30%. The total efficiency was further increased to 41% by incorporation of a two-stage depressed collector.