Analysis of the deflection system for a magnetic-field-immersed magnicon amplifier

A linear analysis of the electron-beam deflection system in a magnicon amplifier is presented. The system consists of identical cavities, one driven and the remainder passive, separated by a drift space and immersed in an axial magnetic field. The cavities contain a rotating TM₁₁₀ mode. The length of each cavity is πν _z/ω, and that of the drift space is πν_z/ω_c, where ω is the RF frequency, ω_c is the relativistic gyrofrequency in the guide field, and ν_z is the mean axial velocity of the beam electrons. The linearized electron orbits are obtained for arbitrary initial axial velocity, radial coordinate, and magnetic field. The small-signal gain and the phase shift are determined. The special case where ω_c/ω=2 has unique features and is discussed in detail. For the NRL magnicon design, a power gain of 10 dB per passive cavity is feasible. Results from numerical modeling of a magnicon with two passive cavities are presented. Operation of the output cavity at the fundamental and higher harmonics of the input drive frequency is briefly discussed