Abstract: This disclosure is related to a magnetron including a cylindrical cathode having a center axis, an anode coaxially arranged with the cathode so as to be separated from the cathode via a predetermined space, and a pair of pole pieces provided to both ends of the cathode in the axial direction so as to oppose to each other and having opposing faces perpendicular to the axial direction. The pole piece has a first ridge of a ring shape that is formed on the opposing face and is coaxial with the cathode.

Abstract: A magnetron has an output comprising a coaxial line 15 which transmits energy from a wanted oscillator mode as a first coaxial waveguide mode and energy from an unwanted oscillator mode as a second cylindrical waveguide mode. Energy in the cylindrical waveguide mode is intercepted by slots 17, 18 in the coaxial line 15 and absorbed by material 19. This enables the modes to be separated. Preferably, the output is taken from the axis of the magnetron and the wanted oscillator mode in the &pgr;-1 mode.

Abstract: A semiconductor diode is connected across the cathode-to-anode path of a magnetron and through a storage capacitor and collector resistor to a supply voltage for enabling charging of the capacitor. A control pulse causes a switching transistor to conduct to discharge the capacitor through its collector-to-emitter path, an emitter resistor, and the magnetron, for causing the latter to oscillate. A feedback signal representative of the difference between the magnetron output frequency and a reference frequency is applied to a linear amplifier transistor which conducts through the emitter resistor for controlling the current flow through the switching transistor and the operating frequency of the magnetron.