Investigation of a cross-band relativistic Cherenkov oscillator based on the cathode adjustment

The mechanism and realization of a cross-band relativistic Cherenkov oscillator based on the cathode adjustment are presented. The device adopts coaxial dual-annular cathode to emit the inner and the outer electron beams, independently. When the inner annular cathode is extended and the outer annular cathode is retracted, the electron beams are emitted from the inner cathode and interact with the internal electromagnetic structure to generate Ka-band microwaves. On the contrary, the outer electron beams interact with the external electromagnetic structure to generate X-band microwaves. Thus, the cross-band microwave generation can be achieved only by adjusting the protrusion and retraction of dual-annular cathode. By the particle-in-cell (PIC) method, the physical process of beam-wave interaction in the device is studied, and the high efficiency internal-external double electromagnetic structures are designed. Simulation results show that the X-band microwave with a power of 1.50 GW and a frequency of 8.55 GHz is generated, corresponding to an efficiency of 32%. Meanwhile, the Ka-band microwave with power of 650 MW and frequency of 31.80 GHz is generated, corresponding to efficiency of 28%.