Multi-stage PASOTRON experiments

A two-stage, phase-locked backward wave oscillator was demonstrated to produce a peak output power level of 73.5 kW, which is 97.5% more power than a comparable single stage device. The X-band output frequencies range from 7.4 to 8.4-GHz, for a tunable bandwidth of 12%. The RF output pulses are 85 /spl mu/s in length. This device makes use of the novel PASOTRON (Plasma-Assisted, Slow-Wave Oscillator) technology for beam confinement to reduce the physical weight of the device, rather than using conventional magnetic beam confinement. This experimental research demonstrates the first phase locked multi-stage BWO, characterizes a BWO's performance as a function of length and number of stages, and documents improved multi-stage oscillator performance.<
>