Variation of anode grid surface morphology and its effect on operation of a triode virtual cathode oscillator.

ABSTRACT

After repeatedly operation of a triode virtual cathode oscillator, the surface morphology of anode grid is studied by a scanning electron microscope. It is found that there are many quasi-periodic sawteeth formed on the anode grid, which are about 300-500 µm in height, ~200 µm in width, and 150-200 µm in period. The formation of this sawteeth implies that there is possible Rayleigh-Taylor-like instability on the anode grid during the irradiation by high-current relativistic electron beam. These sawteeth enhance the electric field on anode grid, leading to more feasible of anode plasma generation, and more rapidly expansion of that plasma. As a result, the electron transmissivity of anode grid is decreased, the output microwave power of the virtual cathode oscillator is lowered and its operational performance is degraded.