Abstract: The interaction structure with integral coupling and bunching section and method of use of the present invention produces backward wave oscillations in an RF structure which combines ballistic bunching and extended beam-wave interaction in a complex resonator assembly. The complex extended interaction structure includes a five-gap electromagnetically-coupled cavity structure with a coaxial section inserted between the first and second cavities. The first cavity serves as a buncher cavity while the four subsequent cavities serve as energy cavities. In the coaxial section, beam and wave propagate in separate channels. The field in the buncher cavity is coupled to the four subsequent energy extraction cavities through the wave channel between the inner and outer conductors of the coaxial section, while the electron beam drifts along a cylindrical channel cut through the inner conductor of the coaxial section.

Abstract: A mechanically tunable magnetron injection gun (MIG) provides an annular, relativistic beam of electrons for injection into an axially aligned magnetic field of a gyrotron-class device. The electron emitter encircles a center electrode. Turning a knob adjusts the center electrode's axial position relative to the rest of the cathode. The adjustable center electrode provides an effective means for local field adjustment. The center electrode is located in a particularly sensitive electric field region and adjusts the electric field so as to tune the electron beam from the inside out. Adjusting the center electrode position while the device is in operation is a means for providing mechanical tunability (with respect to beam quality and transverse-to-axial velocity ratio) for the MIG.