REFLEX KLYSTRON

INTRODUCTION
1. The reflex klystron is a single cavity variable frequency time-base generator
of low power and low efficiency.

2. The reflex klystron uses a single-cavity resonator to modulate the RF beam

and extract energy from it.
3. The construction of a reflex klystron is shown in Figure In its basic form, the
tube consists of the following elements:
• A cathode
• Focusing electrode at cathode potential
• Coaxial line or reentrant-type cavity resonator, which also serves as an anode
• Repeller or reflector electrode, which is operated at a moderately negative
potential with respect to the cathode.
 CONSTRUCTION
• Reflex cavity klystron consists of an electron gun, filament
surrounded by cathode and a floating electron at cathode potential

• The cathode is so shaped that, in relation to the focusing electrode

and anode, an electron beam is formed that passes through a gap
in the resonator, as shown in the figure, and travels toward the
repeller.

• Because the repeller has a negative potential with respect to the

cathode, it turns the electrons back toward the anode, where they
pass through the anode gap a second time.
 Working Principle
• Reflex Klystron works on the principle of velocity and current modulation.

• The electron beam is injected from the cathode. The electron beam passes through the

accelerating anode. The electron moves in the tube with uniform velocity until it reaches the

cavity.

• The velocity of electrons is modulated in the cavity gap and these electrons try to reach the

repeller.

• The repeller is connected with the negative polarity of a voltage source. Hence, because of the

same polarity, it opposes the force of electrons.

• The kinetic energy of electrons decreases in the repeller space and at some point, it will be zero.

After that, the electron pulls back to the cavity. And in the return journey, all electrons bunched at

the one point.

• There will be current modulation due to the bunch formation. The energy of electrons are

converted in the form of RF and RF output is taken from the cavity. For maximum efficiency of

the klystron, the bunching of the electron must take place in the center of the cavity gap.
 How do electrons moves in the klystron tube?

• From the electron gun (cathode), the electron beam is injected in the tube. These

electrons move towards the anode with uniform velocity. Then electrons pass through

the cavity gap. The velocity of electrons varies according to the cavity gap voltage.

• If the cavity gap voltage is positive, the electron will be accelerated and if the cavity

gap voltage is negative, the electron will be decelerated. If the voltage is zero, the

velocity of electrons will not change.

• When electrons leave from the cavity gap, all electrons have different velocities and

these electrons will travel in the repeller space.

• These electrons travel the distance according to the velocity. Higher the velocity, the

electron will travel more distance and lower the velocity, the electron will travel less

distance in the repeller space.

• All these electrons will return to the cavity and bunched at the center of the cavity

gap. The energy of electrons transferred from the cavity is known as the RF output.
 Apple-gate Diagram

• Apple-gate diagram is a graph between the distance from the cavity gap and the time taken by the

electron in the repeller space.

• Different electrons follow different paths depending upon their velocities. The velocity of electrons

depends on the cavity gap voltage.

• Let’s take the example of three electrons. The reference electron (e 0) enters the cavity gap when

the cavity gap voltage is zero. Hence, the velocity will not change. It travels L 0 distance in the

repeller space and pulls back to the cavity. Because of the repeller plate is highly negative and it

will oppose the kinetic energy of an electron.

• The electron enters before e 0, this electron is known as an early electron (ee). This electron

enters the cavity gap when the cavity gap voltage is positive. Therefore, the electron velocity will

increase. It will travel Le distance and pull back to the cavity.

• The electron enters after e0, this electron is known as a late electron (el). This electron enters the

cavity gap when the cavity gap voltage is negative. Therefore, the electron velocity will decrease.

It will travel Ll distance and pull back to the cavity.

• The total time needs from the cavity gap to repeller space and repeller space to
cavity gap are the same for all electrons. And that time is T d.

• At time Td all electrons bunched at the center of cavity gap. And this is how the
bunching process occurs in the klystron tube.
Mathematical analysis
Relation between repeller and accelerating
voltage
 Application
• The applications of a Reflex Klystron include:

1. Radio and RADAR receiver

2. A signal source in microwave generators

3. Frequency modulated oscillator in portable microwave links

4. Pump oscillator for parametric amplifiers

5. Local oscillator in microwave receivers