Helically corrugated waveguide gyrotron traveling wave amplifier using a thermionic cathode electron gun

Experimental operation of a gyrotron traveling wave amplifier with a helically corrugated waveguide using a thermionic cathode electron gun is presented. The coupling between the second harmonic cyclotron mode of the gyrating electron beam and the radiation occurred in the region of near infinite phase velocity over a broad frequency band. With an axis-encircling electron beam of pitch factor of ∼1.2, energy of 185keV, and current of 6.0A, the amplifier achieved an output power of 220kW, saturated gain of 24dB, saturated bandwidth of 8.4to10.4GHz, and an interaction efficiency of 20%.