An efficient magnetron transmitter for superconducting accelerators

A concept of a highly-efficient high-power magnetron transmitter allowing wide-band phase and the mid-frequency power control at the frequency of the locking signal is proposed. The proposal is aimed for powering Superconducting RF (SRF) cavities of intensity-frontier accelerators. The transmitter is intended to operate with phase and amplitude control feedback loops allowing suppression of microphonics and beam loading in the SRF cavities. The concept utilizes injection-locked magnetrons controlled in phase by the locking signal supplied by a feedback system. The injection-locking signal pre-excites the magnetron and allows its operation below the critical voltage in free run. This realizes control of the magnetron power in an extended range (up to 10 dB) by control of the magnetron current. Experimental studies were carried out with 2.45 GHz, 1 kW, CW magnetrons. They demonstrated stable operation of the magnetrons and the required range of power control at a low noise level. An analysis of the kinetics of the drifting charge within the framework of the presented model of phase focusing in magnetrons substantiates the concept and the experimental results.