Integrated design of depressed collectors for gyrotrons

In order to obtain optimum collector efficiency and to control the electron trajectories in the collector region the design process for depressed collectors has to take into account several interlinked parameters. A flow diagram is presented for a systematic design procedure which integrates the various steps. A library of computer codes has been developed to assist in different stages of design. Among the key elements is a code that generates contours of effective potential and helps to define the regions of accessibility for electrons. These contours and the lines of magnetic flux can be drawn against the backdrop of the collector geometry. The different control parameters can be varied and their effect on the contours studied interactively. The search area for optimum parameters is thus considerably reduced. Additional codes make it possible to evaluate each design in terms of collector efficiency, division of beam current between different collectors, and the heat dissipation density profile. Using these codes, a design has been developed for a two-stage depressed collector for a 1-mW, 110-GHz gyrotron yielding a collector efficiency of 68%     

35-GHz 25-kW CW low-voltage third-harmonic gyrotron

A 50-kV third-harmonic gyrotron is shown to be capable of high efficiency. Operation at the third harmonic allows the required magnetic field for 35 GHz generation to be supplied by a 4.5-kG permanent magnet. Two gyrotrons employing sliced circuits for mode control have been evaluated with a large-signal nonself-consistent particle-tracing simulation code and found to be capable of producing 25 kW continuously. The preliminary design of a third-harmonic TE₄₁ gyrotron utilizing a magnetron injection electron gun is predicted to yield a device efficiency of 17%, which can potentially be increased to 46% with an ideal single-stage depressed collector, while an axis-encircling electron beam from a Cusp electron gun is predicted to drive a third-harmonic TE₃₁ gyrotron with a device efficiency of 23%, which can theoretically be increased to 45% through the use of an ideal depressed collector     

Pseudospark produced pulsed electron beam for material processing

An intense pulsed electron beam produced by a pseudospark discharge is used for material processing. The electron beam propagates in a self-focused manner in the background gas. Hardly 12 ns after the beginning of the discharge the fraction of space charge neutralization is about 96%. To sustain the neutralization effect high energy electrons (E <500 keV) are accelerated in radial direction at the beam head, due to strong electric field gradients. At current maximum the beam pinches due to its own magnetic field. At peak current of 400 A and charging voltage up to 16 kV power density reaches 10⁹ W/cm ² on the target surface. Some results of copper thin films are presented. Due to the high expansion velocity of 10⁴ m/s of the ablated target material a copper-matrix has been masked     

Design of high-average-power near-millimeter free electron laseroscillators using short period wigglers and sheet electron beams

The design and feasibility of a 1-MW continuous-wave (CW) free electron laser (FEL) oscillator are reviewed. The proposed configuration includes a short-period (I_w~ 1 cm) planar wiggler, a sheet electron beam, a 0.5-1.0-MV thermionic electron gun, a hybrid waveguide/quasi-optical resonator, commercial DC power supplies, and a depressed collector. Cavity ohmic RF losses are estimated to be extremely low (⩽10-100 W/cm²) at 1/MW output power, while thermal heat transfer studies conservatively indicate that wall cooling up to 1500 W/cm² should be possible. Experiments have convincingly verified theory and simulations which predict that negligible body currents will be achievable with low-emittance low-space-charge sheet beams. High-voltage sheet beam gun design studies indicate that the required beam quality can be achieved with CW compatible devices. The spent beam energy distribution is consistent with highly efficient spent beam energy recovery, and the proposed resonator cavity should provide mode discrimination and beam/RF separation capability     

Single-stage depressed collectors for gyrotrons

Two 140 GHz gyrotrons with a single-step depressed collector have been operated. The different position of the isolating collector gap in the stray magnetic field causes the electron motion in the retarding region to be in one case adiabatic and in the other case nonadiabatic. The kind of motion within the retarding field influences strongly the behavior of the gyrotron with a depressed collector. In the case of nonadiabatic motion a significant amount of transverse momentum is given to the electrons reflected at the collector potential. This causes the reflected electrons to be trapped between the magnetic mirror and the collector. The electrons escape from the trap by diffusion across the magnetic field to the body of the tube thus contributing to the body current. Despite the high body current there is no observable influence of the collector voltage on the RF output power. In the case of adiabatic motion the reflected electrons do not gain a sufficient amount of transverse momentum to be trapped by the magnetic mirror. They pass the cavity toward the gun and they are trapped between the negative gun potential and the collector. The interaction with the RF field by electrons traveling through the cavity enhances the diffusion in the velocity space thus enabling the trapped electrons to overcome the potential barrier and escape toward the collector. Therefore the body current stays at low values since in this case the reflected electrons do not contribute to it. However, at higher collector voltages a reduction of RF power occurred and some noise in the electron beam was observed     

Development of an intense pulsed metallic ion beam source

Intense pulse metallic ion beams (Al⁺, Cu⁺, and Pb⁺) were produced by a magnetically insulated ion diode having a metal anode. Metal ion plasmas on the anode could be generated through enhanced electron bombardment by using a radial cathode. The energy, current density, and duration time of the lead ion beam were 30~140 keV, ~7.5 A/cm² (total ion current ⩾0.5 kA), and 800 ns, respectively. The ion current density exceeded the space-charge-limited current by a factor of 50. The lead ions in the first-to-sixth states of ionization were detected by a Thomson-parabola ion-spectrometer together with light loss, such as C⁺ and O ⁺. The ratio of the ion current of heavy metals to the total ion current was measured using a magnetic mass analyzer with a charge collector. The ratio was about 90% for a lead ion beam and 20~50% for Al and Cu ion beams     

回旋振荡管收集极横向磁扫描系统的设计与仿真

从降低收集极表面峰值功率和平均功率入手,设计了一种由12个横向椭圆交流线圈和2个轴向直流线圈组成的磁场扫描系统。针对140 GHz、TE_28,8模、1 MW功率输出回旋振荡管收集极的设计参数,结合电磁场理论和带电粒子电磁软件仿真,获得收集极表面上电子注的峰值和平均功率密度分别不超过404.91 W/cm²和244.01 W/cm²,以及扫描长度达到443.33 mm的扫描效果,有效地缓解了收集极功率耗散和冷却的压力。     

Coaxial cavity gyrotron with dual RF beam output

A 140-GHz, 1.5-MW, TE_28,16-coaxial cavity gyrotron with a dual RF beam output has been designed, built, and tested. For the first time, the generated RF power has been split into two parts and coupled out through two RF output windows in order to reduce the power loading in the windows. The quasioptical output system is based on a two-step mode conversion scheme. First, the cavity mode TE_-28,16 is converted into its degenerate whispering gallery mode TE_+76,2 using a rippled-wall mode converter. Then, this mode is transformed into two TEM₀₀ output wave beams. A maximum rf output power of about 950 kW with an output efficiency of 20% has been measured. According to numerical calculations, an rf power above 1.5 MW is expected to be generated in the cavity. Even if all losses are taken into account, a discrepancy between experiment and calculations remains. The power deficit seems to be partly caused by the influence of the stray radiation captured inside the tube. However, the two main reasons are probably an incomplete mode conversion from TE_-28,16 to TE_+76,2 and a large energy spread of the electron beam due to trapped electrons. An increased amount of captured stray radiation resulted in a reduced stability of operation. A single-stage depressed collector was used successfully, increasing the RF output efficiency from 20% to 29%     

A depressed collector system for a quasi-optical gyrotron with precisely controlled magnetic flux lines

Design of a depressed collector system for a quasi-optical gyrotron, which had a severe constraint on the maximum allowable radius of the collector region is outlined. The needs for unwinding of spent beam and for energy sorting could be accommodated by precise control of the magnetic field profile, especially in the collector region. Techniques used for defining and obtaining such profiles; and for dovetailing the profile with the collector geometry are discussed. Results on profiles and electron trajectories are presented, which demonstrate the feasibility of the design. From primary electron trajectories a collector efficiency of up to 68% has been calculated for a three collector design.This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.     

140-GHz gyrotron with multimegawatt output power

The operational features of a 140-GHz, transverse electric TE_22,6 mode gyrotron oscillator with an advanced quasi-optical mode converter, a Brewster window, and a single-stage depressed collector at 140 GHz with an output power of 2.1 MW and an efficiency of 34% without depressed collector and 53% with depressed collector are presented. The high output power level is possible due to an almost reflectionless termination of the radio frequency (RF) beam line outside the tube. The operation of the TE_22,6 mode gyrotron is described in detail, and the significant features for achieving the high-output power are pointed out     

Design of a multistage depressed collector system for 1-MW CWgyrotrons. I. Trajectory control of primary and secondary electrons in atwo-stage depressed collector

Part I of this paper presents the design of a two-stage depressed collector for a 110 GHz, 1 MW gyrotron, taking into account the trajectories of electrons backscattered from the electrode surfaces. The collector geometry and the magnetic circuit were adjusted in order to minimize the effect of backscattered electrons. A computer code was employed which is based on a new algorithm designed to give good representation to a variety of energy levels and angles of emergence of backscattered electrons. The collector efficiency estimated on the basis of primary electrons alone was 68%. The estimated collector efficiency which included also the effect of backscattered electrons was 60%. In the latter case the surface of the collectors was assumed to be that of polished copper. The techniques and codes used in the design are reviewed and results of trajectory tracing are presented for primaries and secondaries. Part II of the paper presents the system aspects, including the mechanical and thermal designs and the solid-state power supply design     

Experimental study of a 110-GHz/1-MW gyrotron with a single-stage depressed collector

The results of the experimental study of a gyrotron with a single-stage depressed collector are reported. Voltage retarding the electron beam was fed to the tube collector, and the dependence of the RF output power on the solenoidal magnetic field was recorded. A 1-MW output power was reached by increasing the gyrotron efficiency from 40 to 65% with a single-stage depressed collector. GIKOM, Ltd. and Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 41, No. 5, pp. 670–680, May, 1998.     

A two-component model for the electron distribution function in ahigh-current pseudospark or back-lighted thyratron

Temperature, energy, and densities of two electron distribution function components, including an isotropic bulk part and an anisotropic beam, are analyzed for a hydrogen pseudospark and/or back-lighted thyratron switch plasma with a peak electron density of 1-3×10¹⁵ cm^-3 and peak current density of ≈10⁴ A/cm². Estimates of a very small cathode-fall width during the conduction phase and high electric field strengths lead to the injection of an electron beam with energies ⩾100 eV and density of 10¹³-10¹⁴ cm^-3 into a Maxwellian bulk plasma. Collisional and radiative processes of monoenergetic beam electrons, bulk plasma electrons and ions, and atomic hydrogen are modeled by a set of rate equations, and line intensity ratios are compared with measurements. Under these high-current conditions, for an initial density n_H2=10¹⁶ cm^-3 and electron temperature of 0.8-1 eV, the estimated beam density is ≈10¹³ -10¹⁴ cm^-3. These results suggest the possibility of producing in a simple way a very high-density electron beam     

Extending plasma accelerators: guiding with capillary tubes

In order to extend plasma accelerators, the laser beam has to be guided inside gas or plasma over a distance of the order of the dephasing length, which is typically much larger than the diffraction length z_R of the laser. A capillary tube can be used as a waveguide for high-intensity laser pulses over distances well in excess of z_R. Experimental demonstration of monomode guiding over 100 z_R of 10¹⁶ W/cm² pulses has been obtained in evacuated capillary tubes (45-70-μm inner diameter). A drop of transmission has been observed when the intensity of the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) is high enough to ionize the capillary tube entrance. Propagation in helium gas-filled (10-40 mbar) capillary tubes has been studied at intensities up to 10¹⁶ W/cm²; a plasma column with on-axis density of the order of 10¹⁷ cm^-3 has been created on a length of the order of 4 cm. The use of a capillary tube for an extended accelerator is discussed for the ease of linear, resonant excitation of plasma waves by laser wakefield     

Observation of Raman forward scattering and electron accelerationin the relativistic regime

Raman forward scattering (RFS) is observed in the interaction of a high intensity (>10¹⁸ W/cm²) short pulse (<1 ps) laser with an underdense plasma (n_e~10¹⁹ cm ^-3). Electrons are trapped and accelerated up to 44 MeV by the high-amplitude plasma wave produced by RFS. The laser spectrum is strongly modulated by the interaction, showing sidebands at the plasma frequency. Furthermore, as the quiver velocity of the electrons in the high electric field of the laser beam becomes relativistic, various effects are observed which can be attributed to the variation of electron mass with laser intensity     

超强圆偏振激光直接加速产生超高能量电子束

研究表明, 峰值强度为10²²–10²⁵ W/cm²量级的圆偏振激光脉冲的有质动力场可以直接加速并产生GeV–TeV的单能电子束, 其中被加速电子的能量与激光脉冲的峰值强度成线性定标关系. 为了获得更高能量的电子束, 通过对一维解析模型的分析得到: 如果电子束在激光传播的方向上具一个初始能量E₀, 那么这种线性的定标关系可以被打破, 被加速电子束最终的能量可以被放大E₀倍. 这是由于具有一定初始能量的电子束不容易被激光脉冲抛在后面, 进而获得更高的加速距离. 二维粒子模拟结果显示: 当电子束的初始能量E₀为MeV量级时这个方法是有效的, 而当E₀过大时这个方法失效. 这是因为当电子的加速距离远大于激光脉冲的瑞利长度时, 激光强度的衰减使得电子束的加速错过了最佳加速场.     

Further Acceleration of MeV Electrons by a Relativistic Laser Pulse

With the development of photocathode rf electron gun, electrons with high-brightness and mono-energy can be obtained easily. By numerically solving the relativistic equations of motion of an electron generated from this facility in laser fields modelled by a circular polarized Gaussian laser pulse, we find the electron can obtain high energy gain from the laser pulse. The corresponding acceleration distance for this electron driven by the ascending part of the laser pulse is much longer than the Rayleigh length, and the light amplitude experienced on the electron is very weak when the laser pulse overtakes the electron. The electron is accelerated effectively and the deceleration can be neglected. For intensities around 10¹⁹ W•μm²/cm², an electron's energy gain near 0.1 GeV can be realized when its initial energy is 4.5 MeV, and the final velocity of the energetic electron is parallel with the propagation axis. The energy gain can be up to 1 GeV if the intensity is about 10²¹ W•μm²/cm². The final energy gain of the electron as a function of its initial conditions and the parameters of the laser beam has also been discussed.     

用于真空电子太赫兹器件的微型热阴极电子束源研究

太赫兹波辐射源是太赫兹(THz)波技术的关键.真空电子太赫兹器件在高频、大功率太赫兹源发展中较其他技术有明显的优势,微米尺度高电流密度微型电子束源则是研制真空电子太赫兹器件的核心之一.本文在研制低温、大电流纳米粒子氧化钪掺杂含钪扩散阴极(nanosized-scandia doped dispenser cathode)的基础上,采用发射抑制膜沉积与聚焦离子束(FIB)刻蚀技术,研制无需压缩直接提供高电流密度的微型电子束的电子源.所研究的电子束源直径400μm,在工作温度950fiC,提供空间电荷限制电流密度50 A/cm2时,已稳定工作1000 h以上,并且层流性良好.本文阐述了阴极制备工艺、电子发射特性、微米尺度电子束源的获得和特性,介绍了发射抑制膜的结构和抑制特性的评估.并探讨了镀膜和刻蚀对发射的影响机理.这一电子束源在常规毫米尺度电子源的基础上产生微米尺度的微区高电流密度的电子束,为真空电子太赫兹辐射源的研制提供了新的途径.     

Radiation effects of electrons and protons on the ceramic oxide superconductor YBaCuO

The irradiation of the high T_c superconducting material YBaCuO has been carried out by using 200 keV proton, and 400 keV and 8 MeV electron beams. The temperature of zero resistance increases from 86.7 to 89.8 K with proton implantation while 8 MeV electron irradiation reduces the zero resistance temperature by 3 K with an irradiation dose of 2.25×10¹⁴e^-/cm². However, wich an irradiation dose of 1.35×10¹⁵e^-/cm² the 8 MeV electron beam can make the superconductor become insulating. The in situ examination of a high resolution transmission electron microscope has proved that the amorphous region in the system has ordered arrangement whereas the crystalline region turns disordered under 400 keV electron irradiation with very high doses up to 10²⁶ e^-/cm². The experiments demostrate that proton and electron irradiations exhibit quite different effects both in its structure and property.     

Continuous-Wave Operation of a Frequency-Tunable 460-GHz Second-Harmonic Gyrotron for Enhanced Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

The design, operation, and characterization of a continuous-wave (CW) tunable second-harmonic 460-GHz gyrotron are reported. The gyrotron is intended to be used as a submillimeter-wave source for 700-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance experiments with sensitivity enhanced by dynamic nuclear polarization. The gyrotron operates in the whispering-gallery mode TE(11,2) and has generated 16 W of output power with a 13-kV 100-mA electron beam. The start oscillation current measured over a range of magnetic field values is in good agreement with theoretical start currents obtained from linear theory for successive high-order axial modes TE(11,2,q). The minimum start current is 27 mA. Power and frequency tuning measurements as a function of the electron cyclotron frequency have also been carried out. A smooth frequency tuning range of 1 GHz was obtained for the operating second-harmonic mode either by magnetic field tuning or beam voltage tuning. Long-term CW operation was evaluated during an uninterrupted period of 48 h, where the gyrotron output power and frequency were kept stable to within ±0.7% and ±6 ppm, respectively, by a computerized control system. Proper operation of an internal quasi-optical mode converter implemented to transform the operating whispering-gallery mode to a Gaussian-like beam was also verified. Based on the images of the gyrotron output beam taken with a pyroelectric camera, the Gaussian-like mode content of the output beam was computed to be 92% with an ellipticity of 12%.