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Abstract
The Virtual Cathode Oscillator (Vircator) is a high power microwave tube with simple design principles, ease in operation, low maintenance and capability of operating in a wide range of vacuum conditions. The effect of residual gas pressure on the output of a low-voltage, vertical extraction Vircator is examined. It can be experimentally observed that a rough vacuum, in the order of 10−3 Torr, can still be adequate for normal Vircator operation. Higher pressures result in significant reduction of the power and duration of the microwave pulses. Deterioration on the output is rapid and microwaves cease for pressures over 10−2 Torr.