Competition between harmonic cyclotron maser interactions in the terahertz regime.

Cyclotron harmonic interactions are a key physics issue of critical importance to the generation of terahertz radiation via the electron cyclotron maser instability for practical magnetic field strengths. We present an inherent mechanism, as well as a deciding factor, which governs the competition between low- and high-harmonic interactions. Multimode simulations reveal the physical process in which a significant advantage develops for the lower-harmonic interaction, which eventually dominates in the fully nonlinear stage. The results also suggest a start-up scenario for persistent higher-harmonic operation.

Rise and fall time behavior of the gyrotron backward-wave oscillator.

The rise and fall time behavior of a pulsed microwave oscillator is a problem of academic interest. It is also of importance to radar and other applications because it can lead to phase and frequency jitters or even lock the entire pulse into an undesired mode. Here we present a study of the rise and fall time behavior in the gyrotron backward-wave oscillator (gyro-BWO). Single-mode simulations reveal that, during the rise and fall portions of the electron beam pulse, oscillation frequencies of the axial modes vary in such a way that their transit angles remain at the respective optimum values. Thus, axial mode competition and mode switching can readily take place in these transient stages. Time-dependent simulations demonstrate that, under both the gradual and instant turn-on conditions, the axial modes compete in a pattern governed by the characteristic asymmetry of the mode profiles. Other aspects of physics interest include the analysis and explanation of a resultant hysteresis effect between the rise and fall portions of the beam pulse. These understandings are expected to provide the basis for achieving a stable gyro-BWO operating at a single mode throughout the entire beam pulse.

Absolute instabilities in a high-order-mode gyrotron traveling-wave amplifier.

The absolute instability is a subject of considerable physics interest as well as a major source of self-oscillations in the gyrotron traveling-wave amplifier (gyro-TWT). We present a theoretical study of the absolute instabilities in a TE01 mode, fundamental cyclotron harmonic gyro-TWT with distributed wall losses. In this high-order-mode circuit, absolute instabilities arise in a variety of ways, including overdrive of the operating mode, fundamental cyclotron harmonic interactions with lower-order modes, and second cyclotron harmonic interaction with a higher-order mode. The distributed losses, on the other hand, provide an effective means for their stabilization. The combined configuration thus allows a rich display of absolute instability behavior together with the demonstration of its control. We begin with a study of the field profiles of absolute instabilities, which exhibit a range of characteristics depending in large measure upon the sign and magnitude of the synchronous value of the propagation constant. These profiles in turn explain the sensitivity of oscillation thresholds to the beam and circuit parameters. A general recipe for oscillation stabilization has resulted from these studies and its significance to the current TE01 -mode, 94-GHz gyro-TWT experiment at UC Davis is discussed.

A microwave applicator for uniform irradiation by circularly polarized waves in an anechoic chamber.

Microwave applicators are widely employed for materials heating in scientific research and industrial applications, such as food processing, wood drying, ceramic sintering, chemical synthesis, waste treatment, and insect control. For the majority of microwave applicators, materials are heated in the standing waves of a resonant cavity, which can be highly efficient in energy consumption, but often lacks the field uniformity and controllability required for a scientific study. Here, we report a microwave applicator for rapid heating of small samples by highly uniform irradiation. It features an anechoic chamber, a 24-GHz microwave source, and a linear-to-circular polarization converter. With a rather low energy efficiency, such an applicator functions mainly as a research tool. This paper discusses the significance of its special features and describes the structure, in situ diagnostic tools, calculated and measured field patterns, and a preliminary heating test of the overall system.

Dynamics of mode competition in the gyrotron backward-wave oscillator.

The axial modes of the gyrotron backward-wave oscillator (gyro-BWO) each exhibit a distinctive asymmetry in axial field profile. As a result, and in sharp contrast to the behavior of the familiar resonator-based gyrotron oscillator, particle simulations of the gyro-BWO reveal a radically different pattern of mode competition in which a fast-growing and well-established mode is subsequently suppressed by a later-starting mode with a more favorable field profile. This is verified in a Ka-band experiment and the interaction dynamics are elucidated with a time-frequency analysis.

Characterization of stationary and nonstationary behavior in gyrotron oscillators.

The transition from the stationary state to a sequence of nonstationary states in the gyromonotron oscillator is experimentally characterized for the first time. We have also demonstrated the stationary operation of a gyrotron backward-wave oscillator at a beam current far in excess of the generally predicted nonstationary threshold. This difference in nonlinear behavior has been investigated and shown to be fundamental with a comparative analysis of the feedback mechanisms, energy deposition profiles, and field shaping processes involved in these two types of oscillations.

Linear and time-dependent behavior of the gyrotron backward-wave oscillator.

Formation of axial modes in the gyrotron backward-wave oscillator is examined in the perspective of optimum conditions for beam-wave interactions. Distinctive linear properties are revealed and interpreted physically. Nonlinear implications of these properties (specifically, the role of high-order axial modes) are investigated with time-dependent simulations. Nonstationary oscillations exhibit self-modulation behavior while displaying no evidence of axial mode competition. Reasons for the erratic frequency tuning are investigated and stable tuning regimes are identified as a remedy.