Helix traveling wave tubes with reduced gain variation
AssigneeVarian Associates, Inc.
InventorErnest A. Conquest
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Abstract
In a traveling wave tube (TWT) using an interaction circuit of the helix-derived type, the gain of the tube normally varies significantly over the passband. The invention provides a simple method of reducing the gain variation together with a reduction in the noise power density produced at the output of the tube. This is accomplished by affixing a nonresonant terminated transmission line such as a meander line on at least one of the dielectric rods used to support the helix.
Claims24
A traveling wave tube with a reduced gain variation over the passband comprising a helix-type interaction circuit, an elongated dielectric member, and a non-resonant coupled slow-wave equalizing transmission line affixed to said elongated dielectric member.
In combination:
- a vacuum envelope;
- a helix-type interaction circuit within said envelope;
- and
- means including a non-resonant transmission line adjacent said interaction circuit for coupling from said interaction circuit and absorbing said energy energy in a frequency-selective manner.
A traveling wave tube comprising:
- a helix-type slow wave interaction circuit for interaction with a linear electron beam over a selected band of frequencies,
- a dielectric member adjacent said circuit extending in the direction of said beam, and
- a non-resonant terminated transmission line associated with said dielectric member in coupled relationship to said interaction circuit to attenuate selected lower frequencies in said band while not affecting high frequencies, whereby tube gain over said band of frequencies is equalized.
A method of reducing gain variation of a traveling wave tube having a helix-type interaction circuit not coupled to any resonant circuit within a same vacuum envelope, said method comprising the step of providing an elongated dielectric member adjacent said interaction circuit and one or more non-resonant coupled slow-wave equalizing transmission lines affixed to said dielectric member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.