The Harmodotron—a Megavolt Electronics Millimeter Wave Generator

Abstract

A new method for the coherent generation of relatively high powers at submillimeter wavelengths through the electronic excitation at a single frequency of a selected higher order TM0mn mode in a cylindrical cavity which is large compared to the wavelength is investigated. The theoretical relationship between the generated power, P, the harmonic current component, Is, and the wavelength, λ, is typically of the order of P(watts)≃3000[Is(amp)]2[λ(mm)]12for a 1-Mev electron beam. Experimental measurements at a wavelength of 8.310 mm which successfully demonstrate the method are described.