Method and apparatus for producing intense microwave pulses

Apparatus for producing pulses of high-power microwave radiation, comprising:

• (a) an enclosure having a static magnetic field and a source of neutral gas to be ionized;
• (b) means for developing a selected gas pressure within the enclosure;
• (c) means for generating the magnetic field at a strength suitable for causing electron heating;
• (d) means for introducing high frequency microwave energy of a selected frequency and power level into the enclosure by forming at least one pair of steady-state energetic electron beams arranged for interaction in a background plasma developed in the static magnetic field to generate a hot-electron plasma;
• (e) the interacting electron beam means being adapted for continuing electron heating to form a generally stable, high-beta, relativistic-electron plasma in the enclosure;
• and
• (f) means for introducing a convectively unstable wave in the plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency.

A method for producing pulses of high-power microwave radiation within an enclosure having a static magnetic field and a source of neutral gas to be ionized, comprising the steps of:

• (a) developing a selected gas pressure within the enclsoure;
• (b) generating the magnetic field at a strength suitable for causing electron heating;
• (c) forming high frequency microwave energy of a selected frequency and power level in the static magnetic field;
• (d) continuing electron heating to form a generally stable, high-beta, relativistic electron plasma in a hot-electron plasma confined int he static magnetic field;
• and the
• (e) inducing a convectively unstable wave in the plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwve radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency in an amplifier mode of operation.

Apparatus for producing pulses of high-power microwave radiation, comprising:

• (a) an enclosure having a static magnetic field and a source of neutral gas to be ionized;
• (b) means for developing a selected gas pressure within the enclosure;
• (c) means for generating the magnetic field at a strength suitable for causing electron heating;
• (d) means for forming high frequency microwave energy of a selected frequency and power level into the static magnetic field;
• (e) means for carrying out electron heating in a plasma background confined by the static magnetic field to form a generally stable, high-beta, relativistic-electron plasma in the enclosure:
• and
• (f) external amplification means for introducing a convectively unstable wave in the plasma for producing a pulse of relatively intense microwave radiation at a frequency near a local electron gyrofrequency.