The virtode: A generator using supercritical REB current with controlled feedback

An autogenerator using a supercritical REB current with the amplitude and phase of the high-frequency signal of the external waveguide controlled by feedback (i.e., a virtode) has been studied experimentally. This device has been used to demonstrate the possibility of controlling the parameters of microwave radiation from a generator using a untapped REB current. The radiation produced can be tuned over a range of 3.5-10 GHz by means of mode selection of the beam oscillations. A change in the phase of the feedback signal (by {+-} {pi}) allows the intensity of the radiation to be changed by 8 dB. The maximum efficiency of the virtode was 17%. 9 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.