Multipactor device with radioactive electron source
AssigneeHughes Aircraft Company
InventorsThomas P. Carlisle, Mark R. Thek, Rudolph G. Suchannek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosed multipactor device has a waveguide bandpass filter structure including a plurality of spaced pairs of opposing electrodes defining respective gaps therebetween in which multipactor action can occur in response to input microwave power in excess of a predetermined level. A radioactive source of beta particles provides electrons within the bandpass filter structure to ensure a very rapid commencement of multipactor action. The radioactive source includes a disk coated with a tritium compound and mounted in a transverse bore adjacent to the bandpass filter structure.
Claims9
A multipactor device comprising:
- a housing member defining a waveguiding structure including a plurality of spaced pairs of opposing electrodes defining respective gaps therebetween wherein multipactor action can occur in response to input microwave power in excess of a predetermined level and further defining a transverse bore communicating with the interior of said waveguiding structure;
- a disk mounted in said bore adjacent to said waveguiding structure, said disk having a broad surface facing the interior of said structure;
- and
- a coating of electron emissive radioactive material on said broad surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.