RELATIVISTIC MULTIWAVE CERENKOV GENERATORS

A review of research on relativistic multiwave Cerenkov generators (MWCG) is provided. Presented is the linear theory of these devices, allowing a detailed description of multiwave interaction of a relativistic electron beam with an electromagnetic field in an electro-dynamic superdimensional MWCG system. The results of theoretical research on the starting parameters of generation, power flows, and the structure of the radiated field in a MWCG of a 3-cm-wave length band are reported. The experiments on obtaining and investigating high-power pulses of microwave radiation in a MWCG of 3-cm-and 8-mm-wavelength bands are described. In particular, the results of research on a MWCG with the power of 15 GW in a 3-cm-wavelength band and the power of 3 GW in a 8-mm-wavelength band are presented. The results of research of spatial and temporal coherence of such generator radiation are reported. The possibility of conversion of the MWCG wavefield into a linearly polarized one is discussed. The investigation of the processes associated with the generation of high-power microwave radiation in a MWCG is described. © 1990 IEEE