Multichannel Ka-Band Microwave Oscillator Based on Frequency-Shifted Relativistic Backward-Wave Oscillators

Abstract

Experiments on summation of linearly polarized Gaussian wave beams in free space from two and four synchronous nanosecond Ka-band relativistic backward wave oscillators (BWOs), each having an output power of about 200 MW with controllably shifted oscillator frequencies have been carried out. An about 0.5% frequency shift in one of the channels was equivalent to a one-period phase delay of the carrier frequency. In a two-channel version of the device, a full beat cycle was obtained for a pulse with quadratic (with respect to the number of sources) enhancement of the power flux density at the interference maximum of the integral directional pattern (DP). In the case of a four-channel device, a diagonal displacement of the DP lobes has been demonstrated.