Interaction of a vircator microwave generator with an enclosing resonant cavity

Abstract
Interaction between a vircator microwave generator and a resonant cavity is produced by enclosing the virtual cathode inside a right circular cylinder. By varying the cavity length, frequencies corresponding to the TM01n cavity modes are tuned to resonate with the broad‐ band oscillating virtual cathode. Nonresonant frequencies are suppressed, decreasing the bandwidth of the emitted radiation by a factor ≥5. Measured microwave power is about 4 times that from a detuned cavity.