Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:

 State the difference between velocity-modulated and density-controlled tubes;
 Associate microwave tubes to velocity-modulated or density-controlled tubes;
 Describe the principal construction and the mode of operation of
o Klystron;
o Travelling Wave Tube; and
o Magnetron.

Assumptions are that you know the following:

 Principles of Thermionic Emission
 Basic Radar and Microwave Theory
 Resonant Cavities and Transmission lines
 Tuning Resonant Cavities

Density and Velocity Modulation

Consider how modulation occurs in a triode. The cathode, grid and anode are spaced from
each other. An electron cloud emerges from the cathode when it is heated and is attracted to
the anode which is on a positive potential. The velocity of the electrons travelling towards the
plate depends entirely upon the positive plate voltage. The grid bias only varies the density of
electrons travelling toward the plate. This is called density modulation.

Velocity-modulated tubes are microwave tubes using transit time in the conversion of dc
power to radio-frequency power. The interchange of power is accomplished by using the
principle of electron velocity modulation and low-loss resonant cavities in (or near the
electron beam of) the microwave tube.
Velocity modulation is then defined as that variation
in the velocity of a beam of electrons travelling
through a cavity resonator with an opening in the
centre, caused by the alternate speeding up (when the
electric field is aligned with the travel of the electron
beam) and slowing down (when the electric field is
opposed to the travel of the electron beam) of the
electrons in the beam. This variation is usually
caused by a voltage signal applied between the grids
through which the beam must pass. Microwave
energy coupled into the cavity causes it to resonate
and the electric field interacts with the electron beam.
Consequently some of the electrons will be retarded and some advanced, resulting in a
bunching effect.
KLYSTRON
Klystron amplifiers are
high power microwave
vacuum tubes used in
some radar transmitters as
power amplifiers.
Klystrons make use of the
transit-time effect by
varying the velocity of an
electron beam. A klystron
uses special resonant
cavities which modulate
the electric field around the axis of the tube thus modulating the electron beam within the
tube. In the middle of these cavities, there is a grid allowing the electrons to pass the cavity.
Due to the number of the resonant cavities klystrons are divided up into:
 Two- or Multicavity klystrons, and
 Reflex or Repeller Klystrons.

Two-Cavity Klystron
As the name implies, this klystron uses two cavities. The first cavity together with the first
coupling device is called a “buncher”, while the second cavity with its coupling device is
called a “catcher”. The direction of the field changes with the frequency of the “buncher”
cavity. These changes alternately accelerate and decelerate the electrons of the beam passing
through the grids of the buncher cavity (velocity modulation).

The area beyond the

cavities is called the
“drift space”. The
electrons form bunches in
this area when the
accelerated electrons
overtake the decelerated
electrons. The function of
the “catcher” cavity is to
absorb energy from the electron beam. The “catcher” grids are placed along the beam at a
point where bunches are fully formed (point of highest gain). The location is determined by
the transit time of bunches at the natural resonant frequency of the cavities (the resonant
frequency of the catcher cavity is the same as the buncher cavity).The air-cooled collector
collects the energy of the electron beam and changes it into heat and X radiation.

Frequency multiplication can be achieved by tuning the second cavity into a harmonic of the
first cavity’s frequency. Several cavities in cascade achieve higher gain, greater efficiency
and narrower bandwidth. If positive feedback is applied by connecting the catcher cavity to
the buncher cavity, it is an oscillator.

Reflex Klystron or Repeller Klystron

Another tube based on velocity
modulation, and used to generate
microwave energy, is the reflex
klystron (repeller klystron). The
reflex klystron contains a reflector
plate, referred to as the repeller,
instead of the output cavity used in
other types of klystrons. The
electron beam is modulated as it
was in the other types of klystrons
by passing it through an oscillating
resonant cavity, but here the similarity ends. The feedback required to maintain oscillations
within the cavity is obtained by reversing the beam and sending it back through the cavity.
The electrons in the beam are velocity-modulated before the beam passes through the cavity
the second time and will give up the energy required to maintain oscillations. The electron
beam is turned around by a negatively charged electrode that repels the beam (“repeller”).
This type of klystron oscillator is called a reflex klystron because of the reflex action of the
electron beam.
Repeller klystrons are often used in older radar sets as local oscillators in microwave
receivers or as oscillators in measurement sets and pump oscillators in parametric amplifier.

TRAVELING WAVE TUBE

In contrast to the klystron amplifier, the TWT does not use resonant cavities; it employs
direct interaction between a nonresonant transmission line and an electron beam. TWTs
provide wideband gain without any mechanical adjustments such as the cavity resonant
frequency tuning that is necessary to change the resonant frequency in the klystron. They take
therefore a special position under the velocity-modulated tubes. Because of their low-noise
characteristic, they are used as an active RF amplifier element in receivers. There are two
different groups of TWT:
 Low-power TWT for receivers occurs as a highly sensitive, low-noise and wideband
amplifier in radar equipment.
 High-power TWT for transmitters these are in use as a pre-amplifier or final stage for
high-power transmitters.
Other exceptional features of TWTs include high gain, high power output, linear
amplification characteristics extremely versatile modulation properties (applicable in both
continuous and pulsed modes of operation with power levels up to several thousands of
watts) and very wide band width.
Physical Construction and Functional Description
Traveling-wave tubes have been designed for frequencies as low as 300 megahertz and as
high as 50 gigahertz. The TWT is primarily a voltage amplifier.

The TWT contains an electron gun which produces and then accelerates an electron beam
along the axis of the tube. The surrounding magnet provides a magnetic field along the axis
of the tube to focus the electrons into a tight beam. The helix, at the centre of the tube, is a
coiled wire that provides a low-impedance transmission line for the RF energy within the
tube. The RF input and output are coupled onto and removed from the helix by waveguide
directional couplers that have no physical connection to the helix. The attenuator prevents
any reflected waves from traveling back down the helix.
The following diagram shows the electric fields that are parallel to the electron beam inside
the helical conductor.
 The electron- beam bunching
already starts at the beginning of
the helix and reaches its highest
expression on the end of the
helix. If the electrons of the beam
were accelerated to travel faster
than the waves traveling on the
wire, bunching would occur
through the effect of velocity modulation. Velocity modulation would be caused by the
interaction between the traveling-wave fields and the electron beam. Bunching would cause
the electrons to give up energy to the traveling wave if the fields were of the correct polarity
to slow down the bunches. The energy from the bunches would increase the amplitude of the
traveling wave in a progressive action that would take place all along the length of the TWT.

Operation
1. Electron beam directed through centre of helix
2. Continuous Wave signal coupled into helix. Arrows show direction and magnitude of
force exerted on the electron beam by the CW
3. Electron bunching caused by the electric field of the CW signal
4. Amplification of signal on helix begins as the field formed by the electrons interacts
with the electric field of the CW signal. The newly formed electron bunch adds a
small amount of voltage to the CW signal on the helix. The slightly amplified CW
signal then produces a denser electron bunch, which in turn adds a still greater voltage
to the CW signal, and so on.
5. Amplification increases as the greater velocity of the electron beam pulls the electron
bunches more nearly in phase with the electric field of the CW signal. The additive
effect of the 2 fields exactly in phase produces the greatest resultant amplification.
6. Attenuators placed near the centre of the helix reduces all the waves travelling along
the helix to nearly zero. This prevents undesired waves, such as waves reflected from
mismatched loads, from returning to the tube input and causing oscillation.
7. Electron bunches travel through attenuator unaffected.
8. Electron bunches emerging from attenuator induce a new CW signal on helix. New
CW signal is the same frequency as the original CW signal applied.
9. Field of induced CW signal interacts with bunched electrons to begin the
amplification process over again.
10. For a short distance the velocity of the electron bunches is reduced slightly due to
large amount of energy absorbed by the formation of the new CW signal
11. Amplification increases as the greater velocity of the electron beam pulls the electron
bunches more nearly in phase with the electric field of the CW signal.
12. At point of desired amplification, the amplified CW signal is coupled out of the helix.
Note that the amplified CW signal is a new signal whose energy is wholly supplied by
the bunched electron beam.
 The TWT amplifier also acts a
buffer between a microwave
signal source and an external
load. It isolates the load
reflections from the signal
source and eliminates the
undesirable effects that occur
when the source is modulated
directly. The helix may be
replaced by some other slow
wave structure such as a ring-
bar, ring loop, or coupled
cavity structure. The structure is chosen to give the characteristic appropriate to the desired
gain/bandwidth and power characteristics.

Ring-Loop TWT -A Ring Loop TWT uses loops as slow wave structures to tie the rings
together. These devices are capable of higher power levels than conventional helix TWTs,
but have significantly less bandwidth of 5-15 percent and lower cut-off frequency of 18 GHz.
The feature of the ring-loop slow wave structure is
high coupling impedance and low harmonic wave
components. Therefore ring-loop traveling wave tube
has advantages of high gain, small dimension, higher
operating voltage and less danger of the backward
wave oscillation.

Ring-Bar TWT -The Ring-Bar TWT has got characteristics like the Ring- Loop TWT.
The slow wave structure can be made easier by cut-
out the structure of a copper tube.

Coupled-cavity TWT -The Coupled-cavity TWT uses a slow wave structure of a series of
cavities coupled to one another. The resonant cavities
are coupled together with a transmission line. The
electron beam (shown as red beam) is velocity
modulated by an RF input signal at the first resonant
cavity. This RF energy (displayed as blue arrow)
travels along the cavities and induces RF voltages in
each subsequent cavity. If the spacing of the cavities is
correctly adjusted, the voltages at each cavity induced by the modulated beam are in phase
and travel along the transmission line to the output, with an additive effect, so that the output
power is much greater than the power input.

MAGNETRON
Magnetrons function as self-excited microwave oscillators. Crossed electron and magnetic
fields are used in the magnetron to produce the high-power output required in radar
equipment. These multicavity devices may be used in radar transmitters as either pulsed or
CW oscillators at frequencies ranging from approximately 600 to 96,000 megahertz. The
relatively simple construction has the disadvantage that the Magnetron usually works only on
a constructively fixed frequency.

Physical Construction of a Magnetron

The magnetron is classified as a diode because it has no grid. The anode of a magnetron is
fabricated into a cylindrical solid copper block. The cathode and filament are at the centre of
the tube and are supported by the filament leads. The filament leads are large and rigid
enough to keep the cathode and filament structure fixed in position. The cathode is indirectly
heated and is constructed of a high-emission material. The 8 up to 20 cylindrical holes around
its circumference are resonant cavities. The cavities control the output frequency. A narrow
slot runs from each cavity into the central portion of the tube dividing the inner structure into
as many segments as there are cavities.

Cathode
The cathode of a magnetron is the part which makes the magnetron an active device. This
provides the electrons through which the mechanism of energy transfer is accomplished. The
cathode is usually located in the centre of the anode and is made up of a hollow cylinder of
emissive material surrounding a heater.
 A cross- section of a simple magnetron cathode is shown in
Figure 5. Many types of magnetron cathodes have been
developed; each designed for a specific advantage. The
fabrication of magnetron cathodes is carried out in very
meticulous and precise environments. Each braze and weld
must be inspected for completeness in order not to upset the
designed heat flow characteristics. Magnetron cathodes are
designed to operate at particular temperatures and owing to
the phenomenon called “back bombardment” they cannot
tolerate wide variations in construction and assembly
techniques. As a further check on operating temperature of
cathodes used in high reliability magnetrons, the cathode-
heater assembly alone is evacuated and operated at a
predetermined heater voltages and the cathode temperature checked with an optical
pyrometer. This technique reveals any flaw or defect in construction prior to the time the
cathode is actually assembled in a magnetron. The next step in the magnetron's construction
is to attach the cathode to the tuner-anode assembly. This procedure also requires extreme
care in the axial line-up and orientation of the cathode and anode. Any eccentricity between
anode and cathode will produce variations in magnetron operation and can cause serious
internal arcing or malfunction. Figure 6 shows a simplified cathode-tuner-anode assembly.
The open space between the plate and the cathode is
called the interaction space. In this space the electric and
magnetic fields interact to exert force upon the electrons.
The magnetic field is usually provided by a strong,
permanent magnet mounted around the magnetron so
that the magnetic field is parallel with the axis of the
cathode. The output lead is usually a probe or loop
extending into one of the tuned cavities and coupled into
a waveguide or coaxial line.

The form of the cavities (anode) varies, as shown. a)

slot- type b) vane- type c) rising sun- type d)
hole-and-slot- type. Advantages and disadvantages of
each type involve consideration of operating
characteristics and construction techniques. The hole-
and-slot and vane type normally have every other cavity
strapped to each other by a conducting metal strip. The
hole-and-slot type and the rising sun type are usually
machined by hobbing methods out of solid copper stock.
The vane type is generally made up of individual vanes
assembled and brazed into a support ring. This requires
assembly labour and brazing fixtures. The anode provides the basic magnetron with its
operating frequency. The central area provides C (capacitance) and the outer perimeter
contributes L (inductance) to fulfil the relationship F = 1/ (2π√LC).

Magnetic Circuit
The magnetic circuit associated with the magnetron is necessary to provide the crossed field
type of operation which provides for the synchronization of the electron trajectories. The
magnetic circuit shown here is composed of an external permanent magnet and associated
internal pole pieces. The type and composition of the permanent magnet vary with particular
requirements of field strength and stability. Size and weight are also important
considerations. The transmission and focusing of the magnetic field from the external
permanent magnet to the interaction gap between the anode and cathode is accomplished by
the use of high permeability metal pole pieces shaped to focus the field lines as sharply as
possible.

Basic Magnetron Operation

As with all velocity-modulated tubes the events in the production of microwave frequencies
in a Magnetron can be subdivided into four phases:
1st phase: production and acceleration of an electron beam
2nd phase: velocity-modulation of the electron beam
3rd phase: bunching the electrons, forming of a “Space-Charge Wheel”
4th phase: dispense energy to the ac field

1st Phase: Production and acceleration of an electron beam

When no magnetic field exists, heating the cathode

results in a uniform and direct movement of the field
from the cathode to the plate (the blue path). The
permanent magnetic field bends the electron path. If the
electron flow reaches the plate, a large amount of plate
current flows. If the strength of the magnetic field is
increased, the path of the electron will have a sharper
bend. Likewise, if the velocity of the electron increases,
the field around it increases and the path will bend more
sharply. However, when the critical field value is
reached, as shown in the figure as a red path, the
electrons are deflected away from the plate and the plate current then drops quickly to a very
small value. When the field strength is made still greater, the plate current drops to zero.
When the magnetron is adjusted to the cut-off, or critical value of the plate current, and the
electrons just fail to reach the plate in their circular motion, it can produce oscillations at
microwave frequencies.
 2nd Phase: Velocity-modulation of the electron beam
The electric field in the magnetron oscillator is a product
of ac and dc fields. The dc field extends radially from
adjacent anode segments to the cathode. The ac fields,
extending between adjacent segments, are shown at an
instant of maximum magnitude of one alternation of the
RF oscillations occurring in the cavities.
In the figure is shown only the assumed high-frequency
electrical ac field. This ac field works in addition to the
to the permanently available dc field. The ac field of each
individual cavity increases or decreases the dc field like
shown in the figure.
The electrons which fly toward the anode segments
loaded at the moment more positively are accelerated. They get a higher tangential speed. On
the other hand the electrons which fly toward the segments loaded at the moment more
negatively are slowed down and consequently have a smaller tangential speed.

3rd Phase: Forming of a “Space-Charge Wheel”

Due to different speeds of the electron groups, velocity
modulation occurs. The cumulative action of many
electrons returning to the cathode while others are
moving toward the anode forms a pattern resembling the
moving spokes of a wheel known as a “Space-Charge
Wheel”, as indicated. The space-charge wheel rotates
about the cathode at an angular velocity of 2 poles
(anode segments) per cycle of the ac field. This phase
relationship enables the concentration of electrons to
continuously deliver energy to sustain the RF
oscillations. One of the spokes just near an anode
segment which is loaded a little more negatively has its
electrons slowed down and pass energy on to the ac
field. This state isn't static, because both the ac- field and the ‘wheel’ permanently circulate.
The tangential speed of the electron spokes and the cycle speed of the wave must be brought
in agreement.
 4th Phase: Dispense energy to the ac field
Recall that an electron moving against an E field is
accelerated by the field and takes energy from the field.
Also, an electron loses energy to a field and slows down
if it is moving in the same direction as the field (positive
to negative). The electron provides energy to each cavity
as it passes and eventually reaches the anode when its
energy is expended. Thus, the electron has helped sustain
oscillations because it has taken energy from the dc field
and given it to the ac field. This electron describes the
path (shown in diagram) over a longer time period. By
the multiple breaking of the electron the energy of the
electron is used optimally. The effectiveness reaches
values up to 80%.

Question: Explain the principle of operation using a split anode magnetron show the external
electric circuit.

Magnetron coupling methods

The output circuit in a magnetron is that portion of the device which provides the coupling to
the external load. The RF energy produced in the cavities may be coupled by either a coaxial
or waveguide type of output. Energy (RF) can be removed from a magnetron by means of a
coupling loop. At frequencies lower than 10 GHz, the coupling loop is made by bending the
inner conductor of a coaxial line into a loop. The loop is then soldered to the end of the outer
conductor so that it projects into the cavity, as shown in view (A). Locating the loop at the
end of the cavity, as shown in view (B), causes the magnetron to obtain sufficient pickup at
higher frequencies.

The segment-fed loop method is shown in view (C). The loop intercepts the magnetic lines
passing between cavities. The strap-fed loop method (view (D), intercepts the energy between
the strap and the segment. The coaxial design involves either a probe, a loop or a tapped vane
coupling to the anode and concentric coaxial line through the vacuum envelope to the output
connector. Suitable matching sections must be included along the line to provide for the
correct impedance transformations and coupled load which appears at the anode. The centre
conduction of the coaxial line is insulated and supported along its length by either glass or
ceramic beads the coaxial line feeds another coaxial line directly or feeds a waveguide
through a choke joint.
Aperture, or slot, coupling is illustrated in view (E). The waveguide type of output is made up
of a coupling slot in the back wall of a cavity, a 1/4 transformer, a vacuum seal window
(either glass or ceramic) and a section of output waveguide. The sizes of the coupling slot and
1/4 transformer are determined by frequency, bandwidth and load coupling considerations.
The type of vacuum seal window used is determined by the power output and pressurization
requirements. Placement of the output window is extremely critical as far as position along
the line is concerned, because any high VSWR which may be reflected back from the load
that will cause a voltage maximum at the window will cause overheating and subsequent
rupture of the vacuum seal.

Magnetron Tuning
A tunable magnetron permits the system to be operated at a precise frequency anywhere
within a band of frequencies, as determined by magnetron characteristics.

The tuner is the device which provides some magnetrons with the ability to vary from the
basic frequency determined by the anode. Tuners fall into three basic categories:
 Capacitive- a tuning member is introduced into the anode cavities affecting the E-field
and hence the capacitance of the anode. This type can be constructed of either metal
(copper) fingers which are inserted between adjacent anode vanes in the central
portion of the anode or a dielectric or metallic ring which is inserted into the anode
between its central vane straps.
 Inductive- tuner is much the same as the capacitive but the tuning member enters the
cavities in the back wall region where the H-field and Inductance are affected.
 Combination of both- tuner is a complicated affair which affects both L and C and is
used where extremely wide tunability is required.
The attachment must necessarily involve a bellows or diaphragm arrangement in order to
allow for mechanical movement and still contain the necessary vacuum envelope. The
magnetron tuner is generally composed of two parts, internal and external. The internal
portion described above is that part which is enclosed by the vacuum envelope. The external
portion is attached to the internal portion by some mechanical means and provides the drive
mechanism to actually move the tuner the required distance to change L and C and therefore
change frequency.
Typical Magnetron Parameters
The following is a discussion and explanation of typical magnetron specification parameters:

Thermal Drift At the time high voltage is first applied to a magnetron, the thermal
equilibrium of the device is suddenly altered. The anode vanes being to heat at the tips due to
electron bombardment and the entire anode/cathode structure undergoes a transient change in
thermal profile. During the time required for each part of the magnetron to stabilize at its
normal operating temperature, the output frequency of the magnetron will "drift." The curve
of output frequency vs. time during the period following initial turn on is called the
"Thermal Drift" curve. Generally speaking, the maximum drift occurs during the first few
minutes after turn on, and slowly approaches equilibrium over a period ranging from 10 to 30
minutes depending upon the structure mass, power output; method of cooling and basic
magnetron design. It should be noted that a thermal drift effect will occur not only at initial
turn-on, but whenever the peak or average input power to the magnetron is changed, e.g., a
change of pulse duration, PRF or duty.
Temperature Coefficient After the thermal drift period has expired and a stable operating
frequency has been achieved, changes to ambient conditions which cause a corresponding
change in the magnetron temperature will produce a change in the output frequency. In this
context, ambient changes include cooling air temperature or pressure in air cooled
magnetrons; mounting plate temperature in heat sink cooled magnetrons; and flow rate or
temperature in liquid cooled magnetrons.
The change in magnetron output frequency for each degree change in body temperature, as
measured at a specified point on the outside surface of the magnetron body, is defined as the
Temperature Coefficient for the magnetron and is usually expressed in MHz/°C. For most
magnetrons the temperature coefficient is a negative (frequency decreases as temperature
increases) and is essentially constant over the operating range of the magnetron.

Pushing Figure The pushing figure of a magnetron is defined as the change in magnetron
frequency due to a change in the peak cathode current. Referring back to the earlier theory
discussion, we noted that the resonant frequency of a vane resonator is determined by its
mechanical dimensions plus the reactive effect of any perturbation. The presence of electrons
in the vicinity of the vane tips affects the equivalent capacitance of the resonator by an
amount proportional to the density of the electrons and, since electron density is similarly
related to peak pulse current, changes in pulse current level will produce changes in output
frequency. The pushing figure is expressed in MHz/Amp. The primary importance of a low
pushing figure near the magnetron operating point is that the pushing figure will determine
intrapulse FM, and thereby will affect the spectral quality of the transmitting pulse. The
Pulling Figure is defined as the maximum change in output frequency that results when an
external, fixed amplitude mismatch, located in the output waveguide, is moved through a
distance of one half wavelength relative to the magnetron. Stated somewhat less formally, the
pulling figure is a measure of a magnetron's ability to maintain a constant output frequency
against changes in load mismatch.

Theory of Operation (Alternate for Magnetron)

A magnetron is a high power microwave oscillator in which the potential energy of an
electron cloud near the cathode is converted into R.F. energy in a series of cavity resonators
similar. The rear wall of the structure may be considered the inductive portion, and the vane
tip region the capacitor portion of the equivalent resonant circuit. The resonant frequency of a
microwave cavity is thereby determined by the physical dimension of the resonator together
with the reactive effect of any disturbances to the inductive or capacitive portion of the
equivalent circuit. In order to sustain oscillations in a resonant circuit, it is necessary to
continuously input energy in the correct phase.
In a magnetron, the source of electrons is a heated cathode located on the axis of an anode
structure containing a number of microwave resonators. Electrons leave the cathode and are
accelerated toward the anode, due to the dc field established by the voltage source E. The
presence of a strong magnetic field B in the region between cathode and anode produces a
force on each electron which is mutually perpendicular to the dc field and the electron
velocity vectors, thereby causing the electrons to spiral away from the cathode in paths of
varying curvature, depending upon the initial electron velocity at the time it leaves the
cathode. As this cloud of electrons approaches the anode, it falls under the influence of the
R.F. fields at the vane tips, and electrons will either be retarded in velocity, if they happen to
face an opposing R.F. field, or accelerated if they are in the vicinity of an aiding R.F. field.
Since the force on an electron due to the magnetic field B is proportional to the electron
velocity through the field, the retarded velocity electrons will experience less "curling force"
and will therefore drift toward the anode, while the accelerated velocity electrons will curl
back away from the anode. The result is an automatic collection of electron "spokes" as the
cloud nears the anode, with each spoke located at a resonator having an opposing R.F. field.
On the next half cycle of R.F. oscillation, the R.F. field pattern will have reversed polarity
and the spoke pattern will rotate to maintain its presence in an opposing field.
The "automatic" synchronism between the electrons spoke pattern and the R.F. field polarity
in a crossed field device allows a magnetron to maintain relatively stable operation over a
wide range of applied input parameters.
Other oscillation patterns (modes) could be supported by the anode structure; however, the
mode pattern will product the maximum number of electron spokes, and therefore the
maximum transfer of energy to the R.F. field, i.e., highest efficiency mode. Assuring that the
magnetron maintains mode oscillation, to the exclusion of all other modes, is one of the
prime concerns of the magnetron designer.
The mode controlling techniques in a conventional magnetron, e.g., electrically connecting
alternate vane tips together to assure identical potential, employing geometrical similarities
between alternate resonators to favour mode oscillation, will adequately maintain mode
control in conventional magnetron anodes. Due to mode separation parameters, the number of
resonators in conventional magnetron anodes is limited and rarely exceeds 20 resonator
vanes. Since the physical size of each resonator is fixed by the desired output frequency, the
overall size of the anode is limited, thereby restricting cathode dimensions and heat
dissipation capacity. The result is that at higher frequencies the conventional magnetron has
reduced power output capability, lower reliability and a shorter operating lifetime than can be
realized at the lower microwave frequencies.

References

Adam SF Microwave Theory and Applications Agilent Technologies Inc.

Beverly Microwave Division Magnetron Theory of Operation Communication &Power

Industries available from www.cpii.com/bmd

PH0101 Unit 2 Lecture 6 Lecture Notes SRM University

Wolff C 2011, Book 5 Velocity Modulated Tubes available from www.radartutorial.eu