High-Power Electromagnetic Wave Device 'Magnetron' Developed as the 5th in the World

Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute Dr. Kim Geun-joo and Dr. Kim Jeong-il Team "Full Replacement of Imported Quantity Possible"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Korean researchers have developed the technology to manufacture 'magnetrons,' high-power electromagnetic wave generating devices widely used in medical, defense, and environmental fields, ranking fifth in the world.

The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) announced on the 25th that the research team led by Dr. Kim Geun-joo and Dr. Kim Jeong-il at the Center for Electrical Medical Devices developed domestically for the fifth time in the world a high-level 'magnetron' technology capable of emitting electromagnetic waves at a high output megawatt (MW) level, used in medical and various industrial fields.

Magnetrons, well known as the operating principle of microwave ovens, are a type of electromagnetic wave generating device that converts the electrical energy of electron beams generated in a high vacuum space into high-power electromagnetic wave energy and radiates it. The application range of magnetrons varies depending on their output; megawatt (MW)-class magnetrons are used in many fields requiring high-output electromagnetic waves such as medical, industrial, defense, and environmental sectors. However, due to the high level of technology required for such a wide range of applications, only a few advanced countries like the United States and Japan have monopolized the technology, and Korea has relied entirely on imports.

KERI developed the 'high-power 3.1MW-class magnetron technology (based on the S-Band frequency of 3.0 GHz),' which is most widely used worldwide in various medical and industrial fields, purely with domestic technology. Notably, it boasts performance superior to technologies developed by advanced countries. By applying the world's first 'Dual-Tuner frequency control structure,' it has a frequency bandwidth more than 1.6 times wider than existing commercial products. This allows more stable use of high-power electromagnetic waves in various industrial fields. The application of a permanent magnet-based magnetic circuit realized miniaturization and weight reduction of the magnetron device, enhancing compatibility with various application systems, installation efficiency, and space utilization.

The developed MW-class magnetron is expected to be used in various fields, including medical linear accelerator-based radiation cancer therapy devices that utilize high-power electromagnetic waves, non-destructive testing devices in industrial sites, sterilization and disinfection devices, waste treatment devices, and radar for safety, security, search, and detection in the defense sector. The research team expects that the domestic production of MW-class magnetron technology, which was previously entirely dependent on imports, will significantly contribute to strengthening the technological capabilities across the entire domestic industrial structure.

Dr. Kim Geun-joo of KERI stated, "This achievement is the first and only domestic development of medical and industrial MW-class magnetron technology, combining the institute's proprietary 3D multiphysics analysis technology, engineering structural design technology, and measurement technology." He added, "Based on excellent performance and the advantages of device miniaturization and weight reduction, we have greatly enhanced the convenience and usability for users utilizing magnetrons."

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