Frequency multiplication in the Smith-Purcell free electron laser (FEL) as
a way to obtain powerful millimeter/sub-millimeter stimulated radiation fro
m a high-current, moderately relativistic electron beam is studied. It is s
hown that the main mechanism that provided the multiplication is mutual sca
ttering of low-frequency and high-frequency waves on the electron beam. The
use of this mechanism can provide the power level of tens of megawats and
the possibility of a relatively broadband (few percent) frequency tuning.