Possibility of Frequency Multiplication and Wave Amplification by Means of Some Relativistic Effects

Abstract

A method is proposed of converting the frequency of an electromagnetic wave to a higher frequency by reflection from an electron cloud moving with relativistic velocity. Such an electron cloud can be reaized by compressing all or part of the electron beam of an electron accelerator into one or more groups. It is shown that there is a gain of wave energy arising from the relativistic law of reflection of a wave which is reflected from such a cloud. It is also shown on the basis of Bailey's relativistic electro-magneto-ionic theory that under certain circumstances the reflection from a moving slab of electrons may be increased considerably if the slab moves through a longitudinal or transverse magnetic field. It is estimated that a wave of length 1 mm and of a power at least one milliwatt can be generated by reflecting a wave of length 3 cm from the beam of small betatron. Equipment is being designed to test this prediction experimentally.