High-power multi-electron-beam Cherenkov free-electron lasers at mm wavelengths

A multi-electron-beam Cherenkov free-electron laser can use a multi-dielectric waveguide to generate high-power coherent radiation at mm wavelength. Presented is a mode analysis of the device, allowing a detailed description of the dispersion relations and field distributions of the waveguide for the important modes and the start current for each mode. The microwave loss of the waveguide and the mode competition problem are also discussed. The device is shown capable of producing radiation at millimeter wavelengths with power an order higher than that uses a dielectric-lined circular waveguide.EI01224-229A33