Low-noise microwave magnetrons by azimuthally varying axial magnetic field

A technique has been demonstrated to significantly reduce the noise in microwave oven magnetrons. The technique employs permanent magnets to generate an azimuthally varying axial magnetic field. Noise measurements are reported which show dramatic reductions in the noise of kW oven magnetrons operating near 2.45 GHz. The noise reduction near the carrier is some 30 dB. Microwave sidebands are reduced or eliminated. Noise reduction occurs at all anode currents, but is particularly significant at low current near the start-oscillation condition.