A frequency-doubling millimeter-wave amplifier

Summary form only given, as follows. We report on the design of a novel frequency-doubling millimeter-wave amplifier (MWA). The MWA is a very compact, lightweight, fixed-frequency source capable of producing several kilowatts of microwave radiation in a frequency range between 1-50 GHz with an efficiency >60% and 20-30 dB gain. The MWA makes use of very narrow electron bunches to efficiently produce microwaves in a TM output cavity at the output frequency /spl omega/. Bunching of a small diameter electron beam is produced in a deflection "chopper" cavity operating at the drive frequency /spl omega//2. This mechanism does not require a focusing system. We present a MWA design, including 2-1/2D and 3D particle-in-cell simulations performed on MAGIC and SOS, respectively. MWA design, /spl sim/1 kW of 20 GHz radiation is obtained with an efficiency of /spl sim/70% and 20 dB gain. Potential applications of the MWA are airborne systems, satellite communications, wireless systems, and the Microwave Power Module.