Patent ID: 6724146
Filing Date: 2004-04-20
Classification: H01J

Abstract:
An electromagnetic radiation source, comprising:an anode and a cathode separated by an anode-cathode space; electrical contacts for applying a dc voltage between the anode and the cathode and establishing an electric field across the anode-cathode space; at least one magnet arranged to provide a dc magnetic field within the anode-cathode space generally normal to the electric field; a plurality of waveguides within the anode respectively having anode-cathode space openings formed along a surface of the anode which defines the anode-cathode space, whereby electrons emitted from the cathode are influenced by the electric and magnetic fields to follow a path through the anode-cathode space and pass in close proximity to the anode-cathode space openings, and wherein the surface of the anode does not include openings to any resonant cavities other than a common resonator: and wherein the common resonator receives electromagnetic radiation induced in each of the anode-cathode space openings as a result of the electrons passing in close proximity to the anode-cathode space openings, and traveling through the respective waveguides into the common resonator via corresponding common resonator and openings of the waveguides, and wherein the common resonator reflects the electromagnetic radiation back towards the anode-cathode space openings and produces oscillating electric fields across each of the anode-cathode space openings at a desired operating frequency, and wherein the plurality of waveguides comprises waveguides having different electrical lengths to provide different phasing to the electromagnetic radiation passing therethrough.