A novel harmonic klystron configuration for high power microwave frequency conversion

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new high-power, efficient harmonic klystron configuration for microwave frequency conversion, suitable for telecommunications, scientific, and medical applications, with potential to replace traditional circuitry.

Contribution

A novel klystron design principle and analytical formulas enabling high power and efficiency in microwave frequency conversion.

Findings

Achieves 60% efficiency in the K-band at 30 MW power

Suitable for high-gradient particle acceleration and FEL devices

Can replace low-level circuitry for frequency multiplication

Abstract

A new frequency converter, operating at significantly higher power and efficiency than previous devices, is described in this paper. The proposed device is implemented as a klystron structure where a new design principle is used. New analytical formulas and a specific design procedure are proposed. The klystron frequency multiplier can be suitable for telecommunications and non-lethal weapon, scientific and medical particle accelerators while the most interested exploitations are in the field of high gradient particle acceleration and FEL devices for which no performant sources exist. The advanced klystron multiplier can replace all the low level circuitry for frequency multiplication as a less expensive alternative. Efficiencies in the range of 60% in the K-band range with power levels of 30 MW are possible without phase noise, sideband generation, jitter or chirp effects. The presented design principle is applicable to other bands or power levels.