Electron-cyclotron maser based on excitation of surface-plasmon-polariton waves in an open cavity
Phys. Rev. Applied 24, 064072 – Published 29 December, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/sh3s-pw8d
Abstract
Experiments and theoretical estimates demonstrate the existence of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in the terahertz (THz) frequency range that propagate along a surface with relatively low losses, their field localized near the surface of the conductor. This fact opens up a possibility of generating SPPs by organizing their “direct” excitation near a metal surface, e.g., due to stimulated cyclotron emission from electron beams. This can be a method for the realization of THz gyrotrons based on selective excitation of SPPs at high cyclotron harmonics inside special open cavities. In this work, a possible scheme of a plasmonic gyrotron is proposed, the simplest theory of electronic cyclotron excitation of an SPP wave in an open cavity is described, and estimates for the starting currents of possible plasmonic gyrotrons are given.
