In an embodiment, an apparatus (100) is described. The apparatus is configured to generate
electromagnetic radiation (102) comprising a frequency component in a frequency range of 10GHz to 10THz, the apparatus comprises an
electron source (104) configured to produce an
electron beam (106). The apparatus further comprises a
magnetic field generator (108) configured to produce a
magnetic field to condition and guide the
electron beam within an interaction region where the
electromagnetic radiation (102) is generated. The apparatus further comprises a
waveguide (110) comprising a cylindrical structure. The cylindrical structure is coaxially aligned with the electron beam in the interaction region. An inner surface (216) of the cylindrical structure is configured to facilitate a Cherenkov interaction between the electron beam and an
electromagnetic field excited and supported inside the
waveguide to generate the
electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus further comprises an
output coupler (112) configured to output the electromagnetic
radiation from the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises an electron beam collector (114) configured to collect the electron beam and recuperate energy from the electron beam after the interaction region.