Clinotron tubes: High-power THz sources

Advances in the design, realization, and investigation of the clinotron, which is a high-power modification of the backward-wave oscillator, are reviewed. A series of clinotron tubes operating throughout the millimeter and submillimeter wave bands is presented, and the results of their testing are reported. Approaches to the development of clinotron based synthesized sources for THz regions are described. Practical realizations of such sources are presented. Potentials of the clinotron for further upgrading efficiency, output power, and operating frequency are examined.