Microwave Power and Phase Measurements on a Recirculating Planar Magnetron

Calibrated microwave power and phase measurements are presented for the first recirculating planar magnetron prototype consisting of two coupled six-cavity 1-GHz planar cavity arrays. The results are presented for a solid cathode and two mode-control cathodes (MCCs) with aluminum or velvet electron emitters. The measurements were conducted using a prototype coaxial microwave power extraction scheme. The experimental operating parameters included: pulsed cathode voltages between -250 and -300 kV, voltage pulselengths of 200-600 μs, axial magnetic fields of 0.1-0.32 T, and entrance currents of 1-10 kA. The results showed improved oscillator frequency locking for the MCCs and increases in power and efficiency using the velvet electron emitter.