Proof of Principle Experiments on Direct Generation of the TE11 Mode in a Coaxial Vircator

Experiments on a coaxial vircator with a sectioned emitter are reported. The emitting area is sectioned to form two opposing emitters in order to favor growth of the TE11 mode and inhibit growth of the TM01 mode that is usually excited in a coaxial vircator. Experiments are performed using a compact 320-J 400-kV Marx generator and a compact coaxial vircator built in a standard 8 '' vacuum tube. The radiated magnetic-field strength is measured by means of four free-field (B-dot) probes, and experiments show that sectioning the emitter does, in fact, lead to generation of the TE11 mode.