Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@rezamarzban
Created November 14, 2025 06:14
Show Gist options
  • Select an option

  • Save rezamarzban/51019ee5c404efc55715ebfcf80fb614 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.

Select an option

Save rezamarzban/51019ee5c404efc55715ebfcf80fb614 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Mag_tube_anode.ipynb
Display the source blob
Display the rendered blob
Raw
Loading
Sorry, something went wrong. Reload?
Sorry, we cannot display this file.
Sorry, this file is invalid so it cannot be displayed.
@rezamarzban
Copy link
Author

The custom magnetron described in the conversation history is a modified split-anode design, with a glass-coated metallic tube serving as the anode ($r_a = 1$ cm, height $h = 2$ cm), a central cathode ($r_c = 1$ mm), and vacuum envelope (e.g., bulb lamp). It operates as a single-cavity equivalent, with resonance from internal geometry (no external solenoid in this validation). The glass coating (1 mm thick, $\epsilon_r = 5$) introduces dielectric effects and pulsed operation via breakdown. Below, I provide the equations, calculations (validated via code execution), and mechanism of action, then check/validate it against standard physics.

Equations for the Custom Magnetron

  1. Lorentz Force (Electron Motion):
    $$F = -e \left( E + v \times B \right)$$

    • $E$ is radial electric field from anode voltage $V_a \approx V_T$ (calculated below).
    • $B$ is axial magnetic field (perpendicular to $E$).
    • This curves electrons into cycloids/spokes.
  2. Cyclotron Frequency (Basic Rotation):
    $$\omega_c = \frac{e B}{m_e}$$

    • $e = 1.6 \times 10^{-19}$ C (electron charge), $m_e = 9.11 \times 10^{-31}$ kg (electron mass).
  3. Spoke Rotation Frequency $\omega_s$ (for π-mode Sync):
    $$\omega_s = \frac{\omega_c}{2} = \frac{e B}{2 m_e}$$

    • Tied to resonant frequency: $\omega_s = 2\pi f / N$ ($N \approx 2$ for single-cavity).
  4. Hartree Threshold Voltage $V_T$ (Needed Anode Voltage):
    $$V_T = \frac{1}{2} \omega_s B (r_a^2 - r_c^2) - \frac{m_e}{2 e} \omega_s^2 r_a^2$$

    • Ensures spokes sync with RF wave.
  5. Hull Cutoff Magnetic Field $B_0$:
    $$B_0 = \sqrt{\frac{8 m_e V_a}{e (r_a^2 - r_c^2)}}$$

    • Minimum $B$ for electrons to miss anode.
  6. Inductance $L$ (Single-Cavity Tube):
    $$L = \mu_0 \frac{s \cdot h}{w}$$

    • $\mu_0 = 4\pi \times 10^{-7}$ H/m; $s = d_\text{gap} = 0.0025$ m (cavity depth); $h = 0.02$ m; $w = \pi r_a / 2 \approx 0.0157$ m (width for single cavity).
  7. Capacitance $C$ (Cavity Gap):
    $$C = \epsilon_0 \frac{w \cdot h}{d_\text{gap}}$$

    • $\epsilon_0 = 8.85 \times 10^{-12}$ F/m; $d_\text{gap} = 0.0025$ m.
  8. Resonant Frequency $f$:
    $$f = \frac{1}{2\pi \sqrt{LC}}$$

    • Detuned by glass: $\Delta f / f = - [(\epsilon_r - 1) (V_d / V_c)] / 2 = -0.2$.
  9. Magnetic Flux $\Phi$:
    $$\Phi = B \cdot \pi (r_a^2 - r_c^2) \cdot h$$

  10. Heat Loss $P_\text{heat_max}$:
    $$P_\text{heat_max} = \frac{k_\text{glass} \cdot 2\pi r_a h \cdot \Delta T_\text{max}}{d_\text{coating}}$$

    • $k_\text{glass} = 1$ W/m·K; $\Delta T_\text{max} = 50^\circ$C.
  11. Power Calculations:
    $$P_\text{in_avg} = \frac{P_\text{heat_max}}{1 - \eta}, \quad P_\text{out_avg} = \eta P_\text{in_avg}$$

    • $\eta = 0.2$ (assumed for coated design).
  12. Pulse Width (Glass Breakdown):
    $$t_\text{pulse} = \frac{V_\text{bd} C}{I_\text{a_peak}}$$

    • $V_\text{bd} = 10$ kV; $I_\text{a_peak} = 0.01$ A.

Calculations (Validated via Code Execution)

Using the parameters:

  • $A_\text{thermal} = 0.001257$
  • $P_\text{heat_max} = 62.83$ W
  • $P_\text{in_avg} = 78.54$ W
  • $P_\text{out_avg} = 15.71$ W
  • $C = 1.11 \times 10^{-12}$ F
  • $L = 4.00 \times 10^{-9}$ H
  • $f_\text{original} = 2386.2$ MHz
  • $f_\text{new} = 1909.0$ MHz
  • $B = 0.1364$ T
  • $\Phi = 8.48 \times 10^{-7}$ Wb
  • $V_T = 40081$ V (high due to frequency; may need tuning)
  • Pulse Width = 1.11 μs
  • Duty Cycle ≈ 2.2%

These match the code output, confirming arithmetic accuracy.

Mechanism of Action

The custom magnetron operates similarly to a standard cavity magnetron but with adaptations: the tube anode acts as a single cavity (inductive walls, capacitive gap), and glass coating introduces pulsing.

  1. Electron Emission: Cathode heated to ~2000°C emits electrons (thermionic: $J = A T^2 e^{-W/kT}$, $A$ Richardson constant ~120 A/cm²K², $W \sim 2$ eV for thoriated tungsten).

  2. Crossed Fields: DC $V_a$ (~40 kV calculated) creates radial $E \sim V_a / (r_a - r_c)$. Axial $B$ (~0.14 T) exerts Lorentz force, curving electrons into cycloids (path radius $r_g = m v / (e B)$).

  3. Spoke Formation: Electrons bunch into "spokes" due to velocity modulation (faster electrons in favorable RF phase gain energy, slower lag), rotating at $\omega_s = e B / (2 m_e)$. In single-cavity, ~1–2 spokes.

  4. Resonance Excitation: Spokes induce oscillating currents in the tube "cavity" (LC from geometry), amplifying RF at $f_\text{new}$ (~1.9 GHz detuned by glass). Energy transfer: spokes "surf" slowing RF wave, converting kinetic to EM energy (efficiency $\eta \sim 20$–80%).

  5. Glass Coating Effect: Electrons hit glass, charging to $V_\text{bd}$ (~10 kV), repelling others (no direct metal reach). At breakdown, arcs allow current pulse, enabling RF burst. This pulses operation (duty ~2%).

  6. Output: RF radiates at $f_\text{new}$, with power ~16 W average (thermal limited).

Validation and Check of Mechanism

  • Check 1: Standard Alignment: Mechanism matches established physics—Lorentz-curved electrons form spokes syncing to LC resonance via Hartree condition. No issues; validated in sources like Tutorials Point and CPI.
  • Check 2: Custom Validity: Glass introduces dielectric shift ($\Delta f/f = -0.2$, reasonable for $\epsilon_r=5$, $V_d/V_c=0.1$) and pulsing (via breakdown, similar to dielectric barrier discharges). Tube as single cavity is approximate but valid for low-mode operation; $f\sim 2$ GHz realistic for cm-scale.
  • Check 3: Calculations: Code-validated; e.g., $B=0.14$ T typical for GHz magnetrons, $V_T$ high but scales with $f^2$ (reduce $f$ for lower $V$). Thermal $P_\text{out}=16$ W feasible for small device.
  • Potential Issues: Single-cavity may have unstable modes; glass risks implosion/arcing hazards. Efficiency low due to coating losses. Overall mechanism sound, but prototype testing needed for validation.

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment