K u -band radiation produced by a relativistic backward wave oscillator

Reported in this paper are the results of an experiment to produce high-power Ku-band (12–18 GHz) microwave radiation from a backward wave oscillator (BWO) driven by a relativistic electron beam. Experimentally measured output power was about 250 MW at 12.5 GHz and 100 MW at 14 GHz. A description of the slow wave structure is given along with theoretical predictions of the vacuum waveguide dispersion relations. The diagnostics to determine the frequency and power of the device are described. Finally, comparisons between the experimentally measured frequency and power, and the analytic and numerical simulations of the BWO are made.