Controlled beat-wave Brillouin scattering in the ionosphere.

Stimulated Brillouin scattering experiments in the ionospheric plasma using a single electromagnetic pump wave have previously been observed to generate an electromagnetic sideband wave, emitted by the plasma, together with an ion- acoustic wave. Here we report results of a controlled, pump and probe beat-wave driven Brillouin scattering experiment, in which an ion-acoustic wave generated by the beating of electromagnetic pump and probe waves, results in electromagnetic sideband waves that are recorded on the ground. The experiment used the EISCAT facility in northern Norway, which has several high power electromagnetic wave transmitters and receivers in the radio frequency range. An electromagnetic pump consisting of large amplitude radio waves with ordinary (O) or extraordinary (X) mode polarization was injected into the overhead ionosphere, along with a less powerful probe wave, and radio sideband emissions observed on the ground clearly show stimulated Brillouin emissions at frequencies agreeing with, and changing with, the pump and probe frequencies. The experiment was simulated using a numerical full-scale model which clearly supports the interpretation of the experimental results. Such controlled beat-wave experiments demonstrate a way of remotely investigating the ionospheric plasma parameters.

Broadband Amplification of Low-Terahertz Signals Using Axis-Encircling Electrons in a Helically Corrugated Interaction Region.

Experimental results are presented of a broadband, high power, gyrotron traveling wave amplifier (gyro-TWA) operating in the (75-110)-GHz frequency band and based on a helically corrugated interaction region. The second harmonic cyclotron mode of a 55-keV, 1.5-A, axis-encircling electron beam is used to resonantly interact with a traveling TE_{21}-like eigenwave achieving broadband amplification. The gyro-TWA demonstrates a 3-dB gain bandwidth of at least 5.5 GHz in the experimental measurement with 9 GHz predicted for a wideband drive source with a measured unsaturated output power of 3.4 kW and gain of 36-38 dB. The approach may allow a gyro-TWA to operate at 1 THz.

Generation of electromagnetic fields of extremely high intensity by coherent summation of Cherenkov superradiance pulses.

We demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally the possibility of correlating the phase of a Cherenkov superradiance (SR) pulse to the sharp edge of a current pulse, when spontaneous emission of the electron bunch edge serves as the seed for SR processes. By division of the driving voltage pulse across several parallel channels equipped with independent cathodes we can synchronize several SR sources to arrange a two-dimensional array. In the experiments carried out, coherent summation of radiation from four independent 8-mm wavelength band SR generators with peak power 600 MW results in the interference maximum of the directional diagram with an intensity that is equivalent to radiation from a single source with a power of 10 GW.

Backward wave cyclotron-maser emission in the auroral magnetosphere.

In this Letter, we present theory and particle-in-cell simulations describing cyclotron radio emission from Earth's auroral region and similar phenomena in other astrophysical environments. In particular, we find that the radiation, generated by a down-going electron horseshoe distribution is due to a backward-wave cyclotron-maser emission process. The backward wave nature of the radiation contributes to upward refraction of the radiation that is also enhanced by a density inhomogeneity. We also show that the radiation is preferentially amplified along the auroral oval rather than transversely. The results are in agreement with recent Cluster observations.

Experimental and theoretical studies of a coaxial free-electron maser based on two-dimensional distributed feedback.

The first operation of a coaxial free-electron maser (FEM) based on two-dimensional (2D) distributed feedback has been recently observed. Analytical and numerical modeling, as well as measurements, of microwave radiation generated by a FEM with a cavity defined by coaxial structures with a 2D periodic perturbation on the inner surfaces of the outer conductor were carried out. The two-mirror cavity was formed with two 2D periodic structures separated by a central smooth section of coaxial waveguide. The FEM was driven by a large diameter (7 cm), high-current (500 A), annular electron beam with electron energy of 475 keV. Studies of the FEM operation have been conducted. It has been demonstrated that by tuning the amplitude of the undulator or guide magnetic field, modes associated with the different band gaps of the 2D structures were excited. The Ka-band FEM generated 15 MW of radiation with a 6% conversion efficiency, in good agreement with theory.

Experimental study of coaxial free-electron maser based on two-dimensional distributed feedback.

The first experimental study of a coaxial free-electron maser (FEM) based on two-dimensional (2D) distributed feedback is presented. A new type of cavity formed with coaxial 2D surface photonic band gap structures was used. The FEM was driven by a large diameter (7 cm), high-current (500 A), annular electron beam of energy 475 keV. By tuning the amplitude of the undulator or guide magnetic field, modes associated with the different band gaps of the 2D structures were excited. The -band coaxial FEM generated 15 MW of radiation with a 6% conversion efficiency, in excellent agreement with theory.

Dispersion of helically corrugated waveguides: analytical, numerical, and experimental study.

Helically corrugated waveguides have recently been studied for use in various applications such as interaction regions in gyrotron traveling-wave tubes and gyrotron backward-wave oscillators and as a dispersive medium for passive microwave pulse compression. The paper presents a summary of various methods that can be used for analysis of the wave dispersion of such waveguides. The results obtained from an analytical approach, simulations with the three-dimensional numerical code MAGIC, and cold microwave measurements are analyzed and compared.

Compression of frequency-modulated pulses using helically corrugated waveguides and its potential for generating multigigawatt rf radiation.

A new method to generate ultrahigh-power microwave pulses compatible with mildly relativistic electron sources is proposed. This method involves a novel microwave compressor in the form of a metal helically corrugated waveguide, which can enhance the power of frequency-modulated nanosecond pulses up to the multigigawatt level. The results of the proof-of-principle experiments at kilowatt power levels are in good agreement with theory.

Experimental studies of the influence of distributed power losses on the transparency of two-dimensional surface photonic band-gap structures.

Two-dimensional (2D) surface photonic band-gap (SPBG) structures have been suggested to realize 2D distributed feedback. The 2D SPBG structures can be obtained by providing 2D periodic perturbations of the waveguide surface. Such a structure can be used in a wide variety of applications including microwave electronics and integrated optics. The theoretically predicted effect of the transparency of the 2D SPBG structure when distributed Ohmic losses inside the structure are relatively high in comparison with the wave coupling coefficient has been observed in a series of experiments. The results obtained are in good agreement with theoretical predictions.