Operating modes of relativistic rising-sun and A6 magnetrons

The operating characteristics of a relativistic 16-vane rising-sun magnetron were investigated with particular emphasis on determining the operating regimes of different modes. The magnetron performance was studied as a function of voltage, magnetic field, cathode geometry, axial boundary conditions, and output coupling. Operation was observed in the 3π/8 mode at 3.3 GHz, in the π/2 or 3π/8 mode at 3.5 GHz, and in the π or 7π/8 mode at 4.6 GHz. A maximum power of 80 MW was emitted in the 3π/8 mode with an efficiency of 4.5%. Typical pulse lengths were 40-50 ns. Cold tests were performed to measure the resonant frequencies and azimuthal electric fields in the interaction space which agreed within 1-4% of theoretical calculations. The operating modes were inferred from close agreement between hot-test frequencies and cold-test results and because high-power RF emission occurred at, or just above, the Buneman-Hartree threshold calculated for these modes. The characteristics of a six-vane A6-magnetron operating in the π and 2π modes were also studied. A unique transmitting-receiving system, which was used as a microwave diagnostic, is described