Magnetron is a high-powered vacuum tube in which the flow of electrons from a central cathode to a cylindrical anode is controlled by crossed magnetic and electric fields. Magnetrons are widely used in electronic equipment to generate microwave energy. Magnetrons have long served as highly efficient sources of microwave energy. Magnetrons are commonly employed in microwave ovens to generate sufficient microwave energy for heating and cooking various foods. Magnetrons may be used to generate radio frequency (RF) energy. This RF energy may be used for different purposes such as heating items or it may be used to generate a plasma. The frequency of output radiation produced by a magnetron is determined primarily by the volume and configuration of its resonant cavities.
