VIRCATOR Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: generation of high-power microwave radiation in experimental installations and processes for treatment of organic and inorganic objects, microwave pulse power engineering, radio physics, experimental physics, charged particle accelerators, controlled nuclear fusion. SUBSTANCE: vircator has anode electrode built up of cylindrical cathode portion, diaphragm, cylindrical drift and conical output horn tube with microwave beam output aperture, and cylindrical cathode electrode placed inside cathode portion of anode electrode. Hydrogen generator fills entire inner space with discharged hydrogen whose pressure is maintained constant by means of vacuum pumps installed outside cathode portion and communicating with inner space through ports provided in cathode portion walls. Electron-ion plasma is produced at the instant of voltage pulse origination due to gas ionization by electron beams, and virtual cathode is formed. Background of slow ions partially compensates volumetric charge of beam and maximum beam current; considerable potential well and high concentration of electrons occur in vicinity of virtual cathode because radiation is also generated by plasma electrons. EFFECT: increased power of generated microwave radiation during remaining length of voltage pulse and improved efficiency of vircator. 1 dwg