Density modulated microwave power devices

The authors describe a coupled experimental and simulation approach to understanding the properties and behaviour of an emission-gated electron beam at UHF frequencies. The emission-gated amplifier experiment (EGAE) will provide laboratory measurements of the electron beam at 300 MHz for comparison with a self-consistent, multidimensional PIC (particle-in-cell) simulation. Key research issues include distortion of the premodulated beam by self-field effects in the acceleration region and nonlinear wave-particle interactions in the prebunching and power-extraction regions. The prospects for preconditioning the beam and/or tapering the interaction circuit to improve harmonic suppression and enhanced efficiency are evaluated. The authors present simulation results illustrating the flow of the electron beam in the gun region.<>