Analysis of microwave amplifier or frequency multiplier tube with a multipactor electron gun

Abstract

The electron beam emitted from a so‐called multipactor cathode operated on the basis of the multipactor effect forms narrow pulses repeated at an RF frequency identical to that of the signal driving the cathode. By accelerating the beam, one can create a high‐efficiency microwave tube for amplification and multiplication having a simple construction without the velocity modulation required of a dc electron beam in such a tube as a multicavity klystron. This paper describes a simulation study of a multipactor cathode and the acceleration region of the electron beam. the study provides a guideline for an expected dynamic operation. the conversion efficiencies from the dc input power to the fundamental wave and the second and third harmonics are expected to be as high as 86%, 56% and 31%.