Enhanced-efficiency, narrow-band gigawatt microwave output of the reditron oscillator

Experiments are described which confirm theoretical predictions of higher-efficiency, narrower-bandwidth microwave output of the reditron oscillator over simple vircator high-power microwave devices. The authors produced 1.6 GW of microwave power at 2.46 GHz. The conversion efficiency from beam power to microwave power was 5.5 to 6%, exceeding the usual 1 to 3% efficiency obtained with conventional vircators. The 1% bandwidth was about a factor of 10 less than the usual value for virtual cathode oscillators. Results of computer calculations in reasonable agreement with the experimental findings are presented