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Understanding the generation and growth of nonlinear harmonic (and intermodulation) distortion in microwave amplifiers such as traveling wave tubes (TWTs), free electron lasers (FELs), and klystrons is of current research interest. Similar to FELs, the nonlinear harmonic growth rate scales with the harmonic number in TWTs. In klystrons, the wave number scaling applies to the nonlinear harmonic bunching and associated nonlinear space-charge waves. Using a custom-modified TWT that has sensors along the helix, we provide the first experimental confirmation of the scaling of nonlinear harmonic growth rate and wave number in TWTs. These scalings of a nonlinearly generated harmonic mode versus an injected linear harmonic mode imply that suppression by harmonic injection occurs at a single axial position that can be located as desired by changing the injected amplitude and phase.

The first observations and measurements are reported on suppression of the third-order intermodulation (IM3) product arising from nonlinear mixing of two drive frequencies in a klystron, by externally injecting a wave at the IM3 product frequency. Optimum amplitude and phase of the injected wave for maximum suppression are examined. Results indicate that suppression of the IM3 product by as much as 30 dB can be achieved. Experimental results compare favorably with predictions of a 1D simulation code that takes into account all kinematical and dynamical effects including charge overtaking and space charge forces.