Resonance S-band relativistic backward wave oscillator based on a submicrosecond pulsed high-voltage generator

We present the results of investigations of a resonance S-band relativistic backward wave oscillator (RBWO) that employs a submicrosecond pulsed high-voltage source based on a Marx generator scheme with a water-filled pulse-forming line. It is shown that the spontaneous limitation of the microwave pulse duration in the RBWO is caused by the emission of charged particles from plasma generated at the surface of a slow-wave system under the action of intense high-frequency fields. An increase in the electric strength of the electrodynamic system of the resonance RBWO, which was achieved by processing the surface with a high-current low-energy electron beam, allowed the pulse energy to be increased to 250 J at a peak output radiation power of about 3 GW.