Transverse traveling wave amplifier

Abstract

The RF amplifier has a single waveguiding structure extending longitudinally in a direction of propagation of electromagnetic waves, in which density of an injected current flow is not RF modulated, and a transverse E-field component vector of the electromagnetic waves interacts with the electron flow by electron transit time effects. The waveguiding structure comprises a metallic top strip 1 and a metallic ground strip 2 held apart by two ceramic supports 3 which integrate the two strips into a vacuum tight enclosure together with two RF transparent dielectric windows 4 and 5 which represent the amplifier input and output respectively. Electron flow is generated in a linear current injection system by electronic emitters providing a cathodic source of electron flow which is injected into the waveguiding structure, with a flow vector orientation transverse to the direction of propagation of said electromagnetic waves. The electron flow enters the stripline interior space through an extended slot along the middle of the ground strip, after interaction with the wavefield leaves the waveguiding structure through a longitudinal slot in the metallic top strip, and is then collected by a collector 10 which straddles the slot over its entire length.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.