REFLEX KLYSTRON MODE CHARACTERISTICS

OBJECTIVE

To familiarize with the operation of a reflex klystron and to measure some of its characteristics

EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED

1. Klystron Power Supply 2. Klystron Tube with Mount

3. Isolator 4. Frequency Meter

5. Variable Attenuator 6. Detector Mount

7. Waveguide 8. VSWR Meter

9. Oscilloscope 10. BNC

THEORY

The klystron is a microwave tube that makes use of velocity modulation to transform a
continuous electron beam into microwave power. The oscillating frequency can be varied over a
wide band and it can be pulse and frequency modulated.

Electrons emitted from the cathode are accelerated by and pass through the positive
resonator grids towards the reflector. The reflector is at a negative voltage with respect to the
cathode, and consequently it retards and finally reflects the electrons, which then turn back through
the resonator grids. The electrons travelling forward will be either accelerated or retarded as the
voltage between the grids changes in amplitude. Accelerated electrons leave the grids at an
increased velocity and retarded electrons leave at a reduced velocity. Because of the difference in
velocity, the electrons leaving the grids will need different time to return. As a result the returning
electrons group either in bunches. This variation in velocity of the electrons is called velocity
modulation.

As the electron bunches pass through the resonator grids they interact with the voltage
between the grids. If the bunches pass through the grids at a time such that the electrons are slowed
down by the grid voltage, energy will be delivered to the resonator and the klystron will oscillate.
Strongest oscillation will occur when the transit time in the reflector resonator in n+3/4 cycles of the
resonator frequency, where n is an integer, including zero. If the bunches pass through the grids at a
time such that the electrons are accelerated by the grid voltage, energy will be removed from the
resonator and no oscillation will occur.

It can be seen that oscillation will occur at many different reflector voltages corresponding
to different transit times. The klystron is said to oscillate in different “modes”. The frequency is
primarily determined by the dimensions of the resonator cavity. So by variation of the volume of the
resonator, mechanical tuning of the klystron is possible. But, as it can be seen, a small frequency can
also be obtained by adjusting the reflector voltage. This is called electronic tuning.

If the klystron output power is to be increased by a detector followed by a selective

amplifier, eg. The SWR meter PM 7832, the klystron should be amplitude modulated.

PROCEDURE

1. Connect the components and equipment’s as shown in figure.

2. Keep position of variable attenuator at minimum attenuation position.

3. Set mode selector switch to FM-MOD position with FM amplitude and FM frequency knob at
mid position. Keep beam voltage control knob fully anticlockwise and reflector voltage knob
to fully clockwise with meter switch to ‘OFF’ position.

4. Keep the time/division scale of oscilloscope around 100Hz frequency measurement and
volt/div to lower scale.
 5. Switch ON the klystron power supply and oscilloscope.

6. Change the meter switch of klystron power supply to beam voltage position and set beam
voltage to 240V by beam voltage control knob.

7. Keep amplitude knob of FM modulator to maximum position and rotate the reflector voltage
anti-clockwise to get modes as shown in figure. The horizontal axis represents reflector
voltage axis, and vertical axis represents output power.

8. Now for each mode, the frequency of any mode voltage can be formed by using the dip
method and frequency v/s repeller voltage characteristics can be plotted.

EXPECTED CHARACTERISTICS

OBSERVATIONS

Mode Voltage(V) Frequency (GHz) Power

Min Max fL fo fr

Result
The reflex klystron mode characteristics was studied.