Field theory of dielectric Cherenkov maser

The effect of three-dimensional perturbed velocity and three-dimensional perturbed current density on the beam-wave interaction of dielectric Cherenkov maser is analysed by use of the self-consistent linear field theory. Three distinct cases are considered. First, the propagation of the electron beam in an annular dielectric liner enclosed by a loss-free conducting wall is investigated. The dispersion equation and the simultaneous condition of the beam-wave interaction are derived. It's clearly shown that the instability of the interaction results from the coupling of the TM mode in the dielectric lined slow-wave waveguide to the beam mode via the electron beam. And the coupling is proportional to the density of the beam. The growth rate of the wave produced by the electron beam are obtained. Then, the case of a relativistic electron beam guided by a longitudinal magnetic field in the same slow-wave structure is examined. The motion of electrons could be approximated to be one-dimensional when the simultaneous condition of the beam-wave interaction of dielectric Cherenkov maser is satisfied. Finally, the effect of the background plasma on the instability of the beam-wave interaction is studied.This work is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China.