Long-term microwave emission using a relativistic electron beam produced by a cathode with explosive emission

Explosive-emission cathodes are now widely used to produce high-power relativistic electron beams. When such cathodes are used to produce beams of microsecond duration, allowance must be made for changes of the emitting surface with the time caused by expansion of the cathode plasma; these changes can greatly affect the performance of microwave-radiation generators. The output parameters of the generator were: radiation wave-length ..gamma.. = 2.6/sub I/ 0.1 cm, generated power P/sub mw/ = 160; and duration of generation tau/sub mw/ = 140 ns. (AIP)