Free electron maser amplifier experiments

We present results from the X-band reversed guide magnetic field Raman Free Electron Maser (FEM) amplifier experiment at Strathclyde University. The FEM has been designed for zero slippage to achieve maximum instantaneous bandwidth. The tuneablity is further extended by the adjustment of beam voltage and undulator field strength. A 1 kW TWT has been used as the input source for broadband measurements and two 25 kW magnetrons for saturated output power measurements at discrete frequencies. Results show an instantaneous −3 dB bandwidth of 30% for a fixed cathode voltage and magnetic field. The device can be tuned over a range of 65% of the centre frequency by adjusting the cathode voltage. A saturated power of over 1 MW has been measured for 50 A input current. Broadband unsaturated gains of over 35 dB have been measured. An experiment using a 50 A beam from a thermionic cathode electron gun designed at Strathclyde is currently in progress. This will theoretically allow CW operation of the FEM using a DC undulator magnet and DC power source.