System and method for recovering power from a traveling wave tube

A traveling wave tube system comprising:

• a) a traveling wave tube, comprising:
• i) an electron gun comprising a cathode having a potential applied thereto and at least one anode, wherein said electron gun generates a beam of electrons;
• ii) a slow-wave structure having an annulus through which said electron beam passes, wherein an electromagnetic signal coupled to said slow wave structure propagates along said slow wave structure and interacts with said electron beam so as to absorb energy therefrom;
• iii) a beam-focusing structure for axially confining said electron beam within said slow-wave structure;
• and
• iv) a collector for collecting electrons from said electron beam, said collector comprising a plurality of collector electrodes;
• b) a power supply for supplying power to said traveling wave tube;
• and
• c) a power converter having a DC input and a DC output, wherein said DC input is operatively coupled to one of said plurality of collector electrodes, said one of said plurality of collector electrodes operates at a potential below the potential of said cathode and collects relatively high energy electrons so as to provide an electron current which flows into said DC input of said power converter, whereby said power converter converts said electron current into useful power at said DC output of said power converter.