| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/N65899/01 |
| Title: |
NOVEL CONVECTIVE CYLOTRON RESONANT MASER INSTABILITIES |
| Principal Investigator: |
Cross, Professor A |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Physics |
| Organisation: |
University of Strathclyde |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 February 2001 |
Ends: |
31 January 2003 |
Value (£): |
51,949
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Communications |
| Energy |
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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In a Cyclotron Resonance Maser, electrons gyrating in a magnetic field interact with electromagnetic radiation such that the radiation is amplified by extracting the electron kinetic energy. We will investigate a novel concept which uses a helical corrugation on the inside surface of a 'cylindrical' waveguide to modify the wave dispersion giving eigenmodes with finite, constant group velocity in the region of near infinite phase velocity. This novel dispersion opens for the first time the potential for a broadband, efficient CRM-amplifier. We have performed preliminary experiments confirming theoretical predictions for this new concept obtaining bandwidths ~20%, efficiencies ~30% with high gains ~10000. We propose to develop an understanding of the stability of such an amplifier against oscillations, determining whether the oscillations result from absolute instabilities or feedback from the output. Using a long pulse thermionic emitter which allows independent control of emission current through the cathode temperature, we will investigate the gain process as a function of beam current. We will modulate the input amplitude whilst varying the beam current and pitch factor to investigate the division between convective amplification and oscillation. The long pulses will enable an accurate comparison between the input and output frequencies of the amplifier.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.strath.ac.uk |