KLYSTRON AMPLIFIER

AIM: To study wavelength and the unknown impedance of reflex klystron at particular
operating frequency.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
1. Klystron tube
2. Klystron power supply
3. Oscillator
4. Frequency meter
5. VSWR meter
6. CRO
7. Variable attenuator

THEORY:

The name klystron comes from the stem form - (klys) of a Greek verb referring to the
action of waves breaking against a shore, and the end of the word electron.

A klystron is a specialized linear-beamvacuum tube (evacuated electron tube). Klystrons are

used as amplifiers at microwave and radio frequencies to produce both low-power reference
signals for super heterodyneradar receivers and to produce high-power carrier waves for
applications such as radar and microwave relay transmitters, and the driving force for modern
particle accelerators.

Klystron amplifiers have the advantage (over the magnetron) of coherently amplifying a
reference signal so its output may be precisely controlled in amplitude, frequency and phase.
Many klystrons use waveguides for coupling microwave energy into and out of the device,
although it is also quite common for lower power and lower frequency klystrons to use
coaxial cable couplings instead. In some cases a coupling probe is used to couple the
microwave energy from a klystron into a separate external waveguide.

All modern klystrons are amplifiers, since reflex klystrons, which were used as oscillators in
the past, have been surpassed by alternative technologies.

Characteristics of Reflex Klystron:

1. Reflex klystron is a low power generator of 10 - 500 mW output at a frequency range of 1 -
25 GHz.

2. Efficiency of reflex klystron is about 20-30%.

Block Diagram:

Procedure:-

1. Switch ON the klystron power supply and wait for a while till klystron responds.

2. Apply the klystron bias voltage to turn the modulator bias voltage such that frequency
tends to maximum output on the oscilloscope.

3. Coincide the bottom of square wave attenuator to same reference level and note the
micrometer reading of Variable attenuator.

CALCULATION:
Formulas used for determining wavelength,
= c/.
Where
c = velocity of light.
= frequency.
= wavelength.
For example = 10.6 GHz and
c = 3 10^8 m/s
Therefore, = 2.83 10^2 m.
Formulas used for determining unknown impedance,
= (2) / .
= +2lmin.
|| = (VSWR - 1) / (VSWR + 1).
= ||e^j.
ZL =ZO [(1 + ) / (1 - )].
Where
= Angle in Radians.
= Propagation Constant.
= Reflection Coefficient
Lmin = Length between Stub Matching and Load.
VSWR = VOLTAGE STANDING WAVE RATIO.
ZL = load impedance.
ZO = characteristic impedance.
For example Lmin = 2710^-2 m and
VSWR = 1.02
Then, = 39.16.
|| = 0.0099.
= 0.0098-2.63.
ZL = 49.5-0.009

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Set the beam voltage less than 275 V as it may damage the apparatus.
2. Set the beam current less than 15mA.
3. Use the cooling fan to avoid cathode tube from overheating.
4. Set the operating frequency at 10.6 GHz.
5. Screws should be tightly fixed to avoid any leakage .
6. Do not put pressure as it may lead to the breakage of apparatus.

RESULT:
The wavelength and the unknown impedance of reflex klystron at particular operating
frequency are calculated.