ECE 662 Microwave Electronics

Cross-Field Devices:
Magnetrons
April 7, 14, 2005

Magnetrons
Early microwave device
Concept invented by Hull in 1913
Initial devices in 1920s and 30s

Cavity Magnetron (UK) 10 kW

Rapid engineering and Production
Radiation Lab (MIT) established

Relativistic Cavity Magnetron (1975)

900MW
Advanced Relativistic Magnetrons (1986) 8 GW
Commercial Magnetrons (2003) - 5 MW

Magnetrons
Inherently efficient
Delivers large powers (up to GW pulsed
power and MW cw)
Limited electronic tuning, i.e., BW limited
Low cost
Industrial uses

microwave ovens
industrial heating
drying wood
processing and bonding materials

Magnetrons

B no longer used to confine electron beam as

in a Klystron - B is an integral part of rf
interation.
Multicavity block
Coaxial cathode
Coupling - I/O- loop or Waveguide

Planar Magnetron
Let VA = potential difference
between the anode and
cathode, and E0=- VA /d. An
applied magnetic field is in
x
z
the x direction (into the
paper). The force on the
electrons becomes:
F m dv/dt e[E 0 v B0 ], E 0 y , B0 x

d 2x
dx
0
v x 0 assume to be zero (initially)
2
dt
dt
d2y e
dz
e
dz
[E 0 B0 ] E 0 c
2
dt
m
dt
m
dt
d 2z e
dy
dy
eB
[ B0 ] c ; where c
2
dt
m
dt
dt
m

Planar Magnetron
dy
dz dp
dq e
Let q
&p
c q &
E 0 c p
dt
dt dt
dt m
d2p
2
2

c
c ( E 0 / B0 )
2
dt
p M cos c t N sin c t (E 0 / B0 )
dp
c q c M sin ct c N cos c t
dt
q M sin c t N cos ct
at t 0, p v z0 and q v y0 M v z0 - (E 0 / B0 ); N v y0
dy
v y0 cos c t [(E 0 / B0 ) v z0 ] sin c t
dt
dz
v y0 sin c t [(E 0 / B0 ) v z0 ][1 cos c t ] v z0
dt

Planar Magnetron
y( t ) ( v y 0 / c ) sin c t (1 / c )(E 0 / B0 v z 0 )(cos c t 1)
sin c t E 0
z( t ) ( v y 0 / c )(1 cos c t ) ( v z 0 E 0 / B0 )

(t)
c
B0

Planar Magnetron

If v z 0 0 and v y 0 v 0 , then this result can be written as

2

E0
E0
z

( t ) y
B0
c B 0

v0
E0

c
c B0

This neglects space charge - tends to

make trajectory more straight.
Result - frequency of cycloidal motion
is c f B and (e/m)
KEY: average drift velocity of electrons in z direction is E0/B0 ,
independent of vz0 and vy0.

uox here is the

v0z of our
formulation
ref: Gerwartowski

Planar Magnetron

Electrons have dc motion equal to E0/B0, slow wave structure is

assumed to be a propagating wave in the direction of the
electron flow with a phase velocity equal to E0/B0

Planar Magnetron (ref. Hemenway)

Planar Magnetron (ref. Hemenway)

Circular Magnetron
(conventional geometry)
Electrons tend to
move parallel to
the cathode. After
a few periods in
the cylindrical
geometry the
electron cloud so
formed is known
as the Brillouin
cloud. A ring
forms around the
cathode.

Circular Magnetron Oscillator ref: Gewartowski

Brillouin Cloud
Next, compute the electron
angular velocity d/dt for
actual geometry. Note
region I inside the Brillouin
cloud and region II outside.
Equations of motion
2

d 2 r d
e
d
d 2z
r
E r B z r , (1); 2 0
2
dt
m
dt
dt
dt
1 d 2 d
e
dr
r

z , (2); by eqn (2)

r dt
dt m
dt
c 2
d 2 d
dr d c 2
2 d
r r

r constant
r
c r
dt
dt
dt dt 2
dt
2

Brillouin Cloud
2
d
0 constant - c rc
dt
2
2
rc
d c
1 2

dt
2
r
At r rc ,

Note: electrons at the outermost radius of the cloud (r = r0)

move faster than those for r < r0. The kinetic energy (of the
electrons) increase is due to drop in potential energy.
1
m 2 m
2
mv eV or V
v

2
2e
2e
2

m
2
V r 2 c 1 rc / r 2
2e
4

d
dr
dr
d

r Assume that r
dt
dt
dt
dt
2

eB
0
8m

r rc

, where c

eB
m

Hull Cutoff Condition

For a given B0, the maximum potential difference VA that can be
applied between the anode and cathode, for which the Brillouin
cloud will fill the space to r = ra is
2

VA max

eB0

8m

ra rc

ra

or for a given VA a minimum

B required to avoid filling the anode - cathode gap :

2

B0min

ra
8m
, the Hull cutoff condition

VA 2
2
e
ra rc

Hull Cutoff Condition

B0 < B0min direct current flows to anode
and no chance for interaction with rf.
B0 > B0min Brillouin cloud has an outer
radius r0 < ra and no direct current
flows to the anode. For a typical
magnetron, B0 > B0min therefore r0 < ra

B0min

ra
45.5 VA 2
, the Hull cutoff condition where
2
ra rc

VA is in volts, r in cm and B in Gauss. In designing a magnetron,

2

eB0
generally, V(r r0 )
8m

r0 rc

r0

(0.1 to 0.2) VA

Magnetron Fields
From radial force equation (1), consider electrons following
circular trajectory in Brillouin cloud. Assume that
d 2r
is small, and solve for E r in region I, (r r0 ) :
2
dt

r 2
r

d
ErI
r B0
( c ), insert the result for
e/m
e/m
dt
2
2
2

rc
r c r 2 rc 1
ErI
1 2 1
2
e/m 2
r
r
2

2
2

r
r
r m (eB0 ) 2
1
c
c
ErI
1 1
2
2 e m
r 2
r
4
e (B0 ) 2
rc
ErI
r 1
m 4
r

Magnetron Fields
From Poissons equation the charge density:

0
( rE r I )
r r
4
2

r
(
B
)

0
(rE r I ) r 2 (1 c ) , where
r
r
m 4
r
4
4
4

r
r
r
c
c
rc
2
c

2r (1 ) r 4 5 2r 1 2
r
r
r

r
4
4
2

e ( B0 )

rc
rc
0 2 0 1
0 1
m 2

r
r

0 0 E

0 falls slightly as r increases from rc (can increase 0 by increasing

B0 which follows as electrons spiral in smaller cycloidal orbits

about the cathode.
0

Magnetron Fields
Outside the Brillouin cloud, r0 < r < ra, in region II, use Gausss
Theorem:

D ds E
0

surface

r0

r0

r II

2rdz Q encl 0 (r )2r dr dz

rc

rc
r0
rc 1 rc
1 rc
1 (r 3 )dr 1[

]
2
2
r
2
2 2 r0
2 rc
rc
2

r0
rc
2e(B0 ) 2 0
1[ 2 ], where 1
dz
2 2r0
2m
4

2
r
e
(
B
)
1 r0 rc
2
c
0
0 E r II 2rdz [r0 2 ] or E r II
[
]
2
4m r
2r0
r0

Hartree Relationship
The potential difference VA between the cathode and anode to
maintain the Brillouin cloud of outer radius r0 is given by:
ra

r0

ra

rc

rc

r0

VA E r dr E rI dr E rIIdr
e( B 0 )

4m

2 r0

rc
e( B 0 )
r r(1 r 4 )dr 4m
c

4
e(B0 ) r 2 1 rc

2
4m 2 2 r

2
2
e(B0 ) r0 rc

2
8m
r
0

r0

rc

2 ra

1 r0 rc
r r [ r0 2 ]dr
0

r0 rc

(
) ln r
2
r0

ra

r0

r0 rc
ra
2(
) ln( ) , Hartree Relationship
2
r0
r0

Hartree Relationship

2
2 2
4
4

e(B0 ) r0 rc
r0 rc
ra
VA
2(
) ln( )

2
2
8m
r0
r0
r0

or the Hartree Relationship maybe expressed by

ra
VA VB
ln( )
, where is VB is voltage at r r0
4
4
r0
c B0 r0 rc
(
)
2
4
r0
2

r rc
v B r0 c ( 0
) circular velocity at r r0
2
r0
This vB is important since it gives the velocity of the electrons at the
outer radius of the Brillouin cloud. It is this velocity vB that is to
match the velocity of the traveling waves on the multicavity structure.

Anode - Cathode Spacing

Again, consider the planar version of the magnetron;

r0 rc is small fraction of ra rc such that
VB (r r0 ) (0.1 to 0.2) VA
Desire microwave field repetition with spatial periodicity of the
structure. This field will have traveling wave components the most
important of which is a component traveling in the same direction
with

Anode - Cathode Spacing

These traveling waves are slow waves with the desired phase velocity,
vp ~ vB. Consider the wave equation as follows:
2
2
2

E
2
2
E k E 2 2 2 k 2E 0
x
y
z

Fields traveling in z direction e j( t -z) , /v p , /x 0

2
2E

E
2
2
2
2 ( k )E

E 0, since
2
y
y
2
2

k 2 2 2 2
c
vp

since v p ~ v B , electron velocity c

Anode - Cathode Spacing

The solution of this equation results in hyperbolic trig functions:

A sinh
y z B cosh
y y
v
v

p
p

E
e j( t -z) , d ra rc

sinh
d
v
p
d/vp not too large, such that the E at Brillouin layer is
insufficient for interaction
d/vp not too small such that the E is so large that fields exert
large force on electrons and cause rapid loss to the anode thereby
reducing efficiency. Typically,

(d ) / v p ( / v p )(ra rc ) 4 to 8

Multicavity Circuit - Slow Wave Structure

Equivalent circuit of multicavity
structure - here each cavity has been
replaced by its LC equivalent. This
circuit is like a transmission line
filter T equivalent.
jL
1
,

Z1 impedance of
0
2
1 ( / 0 )
LC
parallel LC network representing the uncoupled cavity
1
Z2
C c coupling capacitance between
jC c
Z1

cavity vane and cathode

20
from coaxial line
ln(ra / rc )

Multicavity Circuit - Slow Wave Structure

The circuit acts like low-loss filter
interactive impedance = input
impedance of an infinite series of
identical networks.
Zin

Z1 [( Z1 / 2) Z k ]Z 2

Z k , solve for Zk to find

2 Z 2 ( Z1 / 2) Z k
2

Z k [( Z1 / 4) Z1Z 2 ]1/2 If Zin Z k is pure resistive, the generator " sees"

resistance load and delivers power. Otherwise no power is delivered.
2

If Z1 jX a ; Z 2 jX b then Z k [(X a / 4) X a X b ]1/2 X a X b X a / 4

to be real or X b X a / 4 or Z 2 Z1 / 4, Z k Z1Z 2 1 Z1 /(4 Z 2 ) ,
- 1 Z1 /(4 Z 2 ) 0 is the pass band. Phase shift per section p of filter is
p 2 sin -1 Z1 /(4 Z 2 ) 2 sin -1 2 LCc /{4[1 ( / 0 ) 2 ]}

Multicavity Circuit - Slow Wave Structure

Rf field repeats with periodicity p
(spacing of adjacent cavities). Field at
distance z+np is same as z. = phase
shift per unit length of phase constant of
wave propagating down the structure.
For a circular reentrant structure anode with N cavities, fields
are
indistinguishable for Z as for Z + np.
2m m
Np 2m m 0, 1, 2, ... N/2 for N 6, p

, m 0,1,2,3
6

for m N/2, p or mode (per cavity)

p 2 sin -1 2 LCc /{4[1 ( / 0 ) 2 ]} or

2 LCc
0

sin 1
solve for .
is the
2
2
4[1 ( / 0 ) ]
1 Cc /(4C )
operating frequency for the mode.

Fields and Charge Distributions for two

Principal Modes of an Eight-Oscillator
Magnetron

Fields and Charge Distributions for two

Principal Modes of an Eight-Oscillator
Magnetron

Multicavity Circuit - Slow Wave Structure

For the m N/2 - 1 mode

(N/2)-1
2 1 Cc
1
0.97 to 0.99

4 N C
Competing modes - desire to increase this separation
2 methods - strapping and rising sun. Strapping adds
capacitance lowers the frequency of the mode :
0

vp

r0 , 2r0 N

N /2
1 Cs / C Cc /(4C )

Strapped Cavities

Typical Magnetron Cross-Sections (after Collins)

(a) Hole and slot resonators

(b) Rectangular resonators
(c) Sectoral resonators

Typical Magnetron Cross-Sections (after Collins)

(d) Single ring strap connecting alternate vanes

(e) Rising sun anode with alternate resonators
of different shapes
(f) Inverted magnetron with the cathode exterior
to the anode

The unfavorable electrons hit the cathode and give up as heat excess
energy picked up from the field. As a result, the cathode heater can
be lowered or even turned off as appropriate.
two
two

Rotating wheel formed by the favorable electrons in

a magnetron oscillating in the mode ref: Ghandi

General Design Procedures for Multicavity

Magnetrons
V,I requirements: From Power required may select VA.
High VA keeps current down and strain on cathode, but
pulsed high voltage supplies are needed.
Note Pin = P0 / efficiency and I A = Pin / VA= P0 / VA.
Cathode radius from available current densities for type of cathodes
typically used in magnetrons.
Typically J0 (A/cm2) 0.1 to 1.0 for continuous, 1 to 10 for pulsed
Smaller J0 lower cathode temperature so longer life of tube
Too low J0 requires a larger rc

General Design Procedures for Multicavity

Magnetrons
Emitting length of cathode (lc) < anode length, la ; Typically,
lc ~ 0.7 to 0.9 la , and la < /2 (prevents higher order modes)
Smaller la is consistent with power needs less B0 needed (less weight)
Radius r0 (top of Brillouin cloud) from velocity synchronism
condition:
vp (r = r0) = r0 / (N/2) = [c r0 /2] [1- (rc2 / r02)]; therefore
r0 = rc / [1-( /c)(4/N)]1/2
For an assumed B0, r0 can be calculated for a number of values of N
(typically 6 to 16) or 20 to 30 for a small magnetron.

General Design Procedures for Multicavity

Magnetrons
Voltage eVB (r = r0) = (1/2) mvB2 where vB = vp (r = r0) or
VB = (vB /5.93x107) 2 ; vB in cm/sec ; Hence VB ~ 0.1 to 0.2 VA
Note efficiency, < (1 - VB / VA )*100; hence
Smaller VB / VA contributes to improved efficiency
Anode radius: ln (ra/ r0) = [VA - VB ] / {[c 2 / 4(e/m)][(r0 4 -rc 4 ) / r0 2 ]}
Also Bmin = (45.5 VA) 1/2 [ra /(ra 2 -rc 2 )] << B0
( /vp)( ra - rc) ~ 4 to 8
N must be even such that N phase shift around the circumference is a
whole 2 .

Cutaway view of a
Coaxial Magnetron

NRL
Hybrid
Inverted
Coaxial
Magnetron

NRL Hybrid Inverted Coaxial Magnetron