Inventors:
Moshe Friedman - Washington DC
Victor Serlin - Springfield VA
Assignee:
The United States of America - Washington DC
International Classification:
H01J 2500
Abstract:
The present invention comprises a device for generating a modulated intense relativistic electron beam (IREB) with an electronically tunable frequency, comprising: a longitudinally running drift tube; a plurality of gaps in the drift tube including a first gap and a second gap, disposed with a predetermined distance 1 therebetween; and a plurality of cavities, with a first cavity disposed around the drift tube at the location of the first gap, and a second cavity disposed around the drift tube at the location of the second gap. These first and second cavities are provided with volumes and a geometry such as to excite a predetermined frequency band below the plasma frequency for the device. A circuit is provided for generating an IREB and injecting this IREB to propagate within the drift tube with a predetermined plasma frequency. Additionally, a main magnetic field generating means is provided for generating a magnetic field for confining the IREB to a desired beam diameter.