Fine Structure of the Emission Spectra of a Relativistic Cherenkov Plasma Maser

The evolution of the emission spectrum of a relativistic Cherenkov plasma maser is studied both experimentally and numerically. The frequency range of emission is 1.5–6 GHz at a power level of 50 MW and pulse duration of up to 500 ns. It is shown that the relativistic Cherenkov plasma maser is capable of producing both broadband (with a spectrum width of ~1 GHz) and narrowband (~~40 MHz) microwave pulses with a tunable mean frequency. Calculations by linear theory and numerical simulations provide a satisfactory explanation of the specific features and the time evolution of the spectra observed. It is suggested that the plasma nonlinearity is responsible for the experimentally observed shortening of the microwave pulses and the broadening of the emission spectrum.