Experimental results are presented of the first successful gyrotron backward wave oscillator (gyro-BWO) with continuous frequency tuning near the low-terahertz region. A helically corrugated interaction region was used to allow efficient interaction over a wide frequency band at the second harmonic of the electron cyclotron frequency without parasitic output. The gyro-BWO generated a maximum output power of 12 kW when driven by a 40 kV, 1.5 A, annular-shaped large-orbit electron beam and achieved a frequency tuning band of 88–102.5 GHz by adjusting the cavity magnetic field. The performance of the gyro-BWO is consistent with 3D particle-in-cell numerical simulations.

• Received 28 December 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.165101