Gigatron microwave amplifier

An electron tube, comprising:

• a field emitter array cathode;
• means for modulating said cathode to emit beams of electrons at a desired frequency;
• said cathode structured to emit electrons in a ribbon-shaped beam configurations with a front face of said beam;
• an output coupler for receiving the electron beam and extracting energy therefrom;
• an rf wave modulating at the desired frequency traveling in said output coupler and generating a decelerating electric field in said coupler;
• said output coupler being tilted at an angle greater than 0.degree. and less than 90.degree. with respect to the face of said beam to receive said ribbon-shaped electron beam in phase with said decelerating electric field.

A traveling wave coupler for extracting energy from an electron beam, comprising:

• means for receiving the electron beam;
• means for generating a traveling wave in said receiving means, wherein the traveling wave and the electron beam couple in phase at said receiving means;
• wherein the electron beam is emitted at an angle .THETA. with respect to said receiving means, said angle being determined as follows:
• ##EQU19## wherein .beta..sub.e is the velocity of the electron beam and .beta..sub.p is the velocity of the traveling wave.

A waveguide for extracting energy from an electron beam, comprising:

• an electric field in said waveguide for decelerating the electron beam as the electron beam passes through said waveguide;
• a traveling wave moving through said waveguide;
• said waveguide being positioned at an angle with respect to said beam so that the electron beam and traveling wave couple along said waveguide;
• wherein the positioning of said waveguide at said angle also compensates for deflection of the electron beam as said beam passes through said waveguide.

A traveling wave coupler for extracting energy from an electron beam, comprising:

• a waveguide for receiving the electron beam;
• a traveling wave in said waveguide;
• said waveguide defining an angle of incidence with respect to the electron beam so that the traveling wave extracts energy from the electron beam along said waveguide;
• and
• a loop resonant circuit connected to said waveguide.

A wave coupler for extracting energy from an electron beam, comprising:

• a waveguide for receiving said electron beam;
• said wave coupler generating a magnetic field which bends said electron beam as it passes through said waveguide;
• and
• said waveguide positioned at an angle with respect to the electron beam to compensate for the bending of said electron beam as it passes through said waveguide.