Analysis of the deflection system for a magnetic-field-immersed magnicon amplifier

A linear analysis of the electron-beam deflection system in a magnicon amplifier is presented. The system consists of identical cavities, one driven and the remainder passive, separated by a drift space and immersed in an axial magnetic field. The cavities contain a rotating TM/sub 110/ mode. The length of each cavity is pi nu /sub z// omega , and that of the drift space is pi nu /sub z// omega /sub c/, where omega is the RF frequency, omega /sub c/ is the relativistic gyrofrequency in the guide field, and nu /sub z/ is the mean axial velocity of the beam electrons. The linearized electron orbits are obtained for arbitrary initial axial velocity, radial coordinate, and magnetic field. The small-signal gain and the phase shift are determined. The special case where omega /sub c// omega =2 has unique features and is discussed in detail. For the NRL magnicon design, a power gain of 10 dB per passive cavity is feasible. Results from numerical modeling of a magnicon with two passive cavities are presented. Operation of the output cavity at the fundamental and higher harmonics of the input drive frequency is briefly discussed.<
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