Relativistic BWO with enhanced frequency tunability

The paper presents experimental studies of broad-band frequency tuning in a relativistic backward-wave oscillator (BWO) with an electrodynamic system of increased cross section and a resonant wave reflector. Frequency tuning within 12% was realized by mechanically shifting the reflector about the slow wave structure (SWS). The parameters of the driving electron beam were fixed. With a magnetic field of 4.6 kOe, the maximum microwave power was 4/spl plusmn/1 GW at 3.6 GHz.