Module 4 Report

 Magnetron Theory:
 The Magnetron, located between the Solid-State Modulator and the 4-Port (RF Source).
 A Magnetron is a diode-type electron (vacuum) tube.
 A Vacuum Diode consists of three major components: 1. Anode (collects electrons from
cathode) 2. Heater (heats the cathode) 3. Cathode (emits electrons).
 Anode: A cylindrical block of solid copper that has cavities cut into it designed to
resonate at a desired frequency.
A. Slot
B. Vane
C. Rising sun
D. Hole and slot

 Filament/Cathode: A high emission, indirectly heated material which is positioned in the

center of the anode block, supported by the filament leads (generates electrons)
 Antenna: A probe or loop attached to the anode that gets extended into one of the tuned
cavities (pulls RF from Magnetron and emit it to the waveguide)
 A high gauss magnetic field must be applied to the magnetron to generate RF Power.

 The Solid-State Modulator (SSM) Control all magnetron operating parameters:

 Magnetron Voltage – difference of potential between the anode and cathode; up to
48kVdc.
 Magnetron Current - current flow through magnetron; up to 110 amps.
 Heater Preset –used to generate electrons in the magnetron.
 Pulse Width/Frequency – how long/is applied to the magnetron (determines the length,
pulse and repetition of the RF.

Prepared by:
Jehan Mohammed
 Electron Emission:
 When SSM is enabled, the parameters are applied, and the cathode starts heating.
 The electrons are emitted from the entire surface of the filament/cathode while its heating
forming a cloud.
 The magnetic field, supplied by the external electromagnets, is used to change the
straight trajectory of the electrons emitted by the filament/cathode.
 Back Heating: effect of returning electrons raising the temperature of the
filament/cathode.
 Filament Cut-Back – effect of reducing filament/cathode current to reduce temperature to
compensate for back heating.

 Spoke Rotation:
 Spokes will be located at each cavity.
 The spokes are attracted to the side of each cavity having an opposite RF field polarity.
 On each half-cycle of RF oscillation, the RF field present at the cavity entrance will
reverse polarity, and the spoke will rotate to maintain its presence in an opposing RF
field.
 The rotation of the spokes transfer energy from the electrons into the cavities to sustain
RF oscillation.

 Cavity Strapping:
 Variations in cavity oscillation can cause spokes not to rotate or to combine and cause the
magnetron to fail (depending on the electron’s activity)
 To solve this problem, magnetron cavities are strapped together.
 Strapping the cavities electrically averages the output of all cavities, countering any
manufacturing impurities and forces them to operate at the same frequency.

 Magnetron tuning and arcing:

 During normal operation, temperature changes in the magnetron and waveguide will
cause variations in output frequency.
 This variation in frequency can cause an impedance mismatch between the magnetron
and linac.
 In order to compensate for this change in temperature, we must adjust the frequency of
the magnetron by varying the position of the plunger changing the cavity size.
 Improper tuning of the RF circuit, imperfections in the magnetron or the loss of the
magnetic field can cause internal arcing of the magnetron.
 Arcing occurs between the anode and cathode which causes pitting on the wall of the
anode (could be removed by sweeping).

Prepared by:
Jehan Mohammed
 Magnetron malfunctions (due to the rotation):
 Soft cathode.
 Open leads.
 Slow/bad starting.
 Heater short/open.
 Plunger drive bending.
 Gaseous Tube.
 The rotation of the spokes transfer energy from the electrons into the cavities to sustain
RF oscillation.

Prepared by:
Jehan Mohammed