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Electronics and FluidicsElectrical and Electronic Equipment

Design and Development of a Plasma Wakefield Klystron

Authors: John Pasour; David Smithe; Robert Seeley; Khanh Nguyen; MISSION RESEARCH CORP NEWINGTON VA
Abstract:
This project investigated a novel microwave source that utilizes a plasma to bunch the electron beam. The electron beam interacts with the plasma via the wakefield produced by the head of the electron beam as it passes through the plasma. The resulting plasma oscillations bunch the beam at a frequency proportional to the plasma frequency. Thus, the device can be tuned by varying the plasma density. The theory of the device has been developed, and numerical simulations of the interaction have been performed. The simulations have covered a very broad parameter range, including multi-GW electron beams at an energy of about 0.5 MeV as well as 100-keV electron beams at current levels of 100 to 500 A (10 to 50 MW). Practical problems, such as voltage droop during the pulse and nonuniform plasma density, have been addressed in the simulations to obtain an idea of the robustness of the device.

Limitations: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE
Description: Final rept.
Pages: 34
Report Date: 23 DEC 96
Contract Number: DAAL01-93-C-0053
Report Number: A965223
Keywords relating to this report:
DENSITY
ELECTRON BEAMS
ELECTRON DENSITY
KLYSTRONS
MICROWAVE AMPLIFIERS
NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
PLASMA DEVICES
PLASMA OSCILLATION
PULSE GENERATORS
PUMPING(ELECTRONICS)
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