Free electron maser oscillations near waveguide cutoff

In waveguide-based FEMs there are two possible frequency radiation bands corresponding to the two intersections of the beam line with the waveguide dispersion curve. The low-frequency intersection point occurring near the waveguide cutoff frequency was studied by us experimentally. Special modifications of the existing TAU FEM facility were made in order to investigate FEM radiation near cutoff. Some rectangular waveguide components, used for the radiation coupling from the resonator to the detection system, were replaced by components based on a double-ridged waveguide having a lower cutoff frequency and a wider frequency band. FEM operation in the vicinity of the waveguide cutoff frequency was studied in free-running oscillator configuration using a unique experimental setup enabling time-dependent spectral measurements within a single radiation pulse. The observed FEM radiation was of good spectral purity without any significant mode competition.