Operation of cusptron at fundamental and harmonic cyclotron frequencies

Microwave radiation at the fundamental and harmonic electron cyclotron frequencies generated by a cusptron oscillator is reported. A low-energy, axis-rotating beam of 28-30 kV, 0.8-3.5 A, 4 μs, and 60 pps interacts with a single RF mode, both in a circular cavity and in a six-vane circuit by the negative mass instability. In fundamental and second-harmonic frequency generation with a circular circuit, the independently excited modes are TE₁₁s and TE₂₁s, with radiation power of more than 1.8 kW and an electronic efficiency of approximately 7.5%. Employing a six-vane circuit, microwave radiation of 6.0 GHz (sixth harmonic) and 3.9 GHz (fourth harmonic) is also independently generated with more than 10.4 and 4.0 kW radiation power, respectively. Corresponding electronic efficiencies are approximately 10.0 and 9.5%