A magnetron injection gun with a reduced filament temperature and elongated cathode lifetime

An optoelectronic gyrotron system that makes it possible to efficiently heat a cathode by electrons reflected from a magnetic mirror has been developed. The parameters of the primary electron beam are retained at a level that is acceptable for efficient microwave power generation. The results of a trajectory analysis of electrons and the cathode temperature conditions are reported. The corresponding decrease in power and temperature of the cathode filament suggests a significant (severalfold) increase in the filament lifetime, which is one of the main parameters determining the device lifetime.