A sixteenth harmonic cusptron oscillator

Summary Form only given, as follows. The cusptron device uses a cusp field to convert an axially moving beam into an axis-encircling electron beam (E-layer) as the radiation source. Such a beam configuration features the strongest finite-Larmor-radius effect for the harmonic interactions. This device uses a slotted cylinder waveguide, similar to the anode blocks of a magnetron, to determine the field pattern of the resonant mode. A sixteenth-harmonic cusptron oscillator has been designed and constructed. The device, which uses a 16-slot waveguide for the generation of the 16th cyclotron harmonic TE/sub 02/ mode, works in the 2 pi mode. The beam energy and magnetic field of the device are 28.5 keV and 360 G, respectively. At present, only a small signal has been detected at the expected frequency of 15.8 GHz. Fine tuning of the operational parameters is underway in order to increase output to the expected level.<>