Method and apparatus for bi-planar backward wave oscillator
AssigneeJames A. Dayton, Jr.
InventorJames A. Dayton, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to a sub-millimeter backward wave oscillator. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a miniature backward wave oscillator having a biplanar interdigital circuit. In one embodiment the interdigital circuit includes diamond and is coated with an electro-conductive material.
Claims27
A portable backward wave oscillator for providing oscillations at a sub-millimeter wavelength comprising:
- an electron beam generator comprising a directional source of electrons, a collector of electrons, and means for accelerating electrons emitted from said source in the direction of said collector;
- magnetic field focusing means for focusing the beam of electrons;
- a slow wave circuit disposed intermediate said source and said collector, said circuit having a bi-planar, interdigital, periodical geometric structure of synthetic diamond with the surfaces adjacent the beam being overlaid by gold, the interdigital structure including two sets of digits, each set in a different plane, said electron beam passing between said two planes to thereby interact with the full propagation strength of the electro-magnetic energy induced in said slow wave circuit by said beam;
- and
- a control circuit for electrically tuning the frequency of the oscillations.
A portable, backward wave oscillator for providing oscillations at a sub-millimeter frequency comprising:
- an electron beam generator comprising a source of electrons, a collector of electrons, and means for accelerating electrons emitted from said source toward said collector;
- a slow wave circuit disposed intermediate said source and said collector through which the electron beam passes, said circuit having a bi-planar, interdigital, periodical geometric structure of an electrically non-conducting material with the surfaces adjacent the beam being metalized;
- a magnetic field focusing circuit for focusing the beam of electrons;
- and
- a control circuit for electrically tuning the frequency of the oscillations.
A device for providing sub-millimeter wavelength electro-magnetic oscillations comprising an electron beam generator, a magnetic field focusing means for focusing the electron beam and a slow wave circuit, wherein the electron beam interacts with the full propagation strength of the electro-magnetic oscillations and wherein the device weighs less than about 500 grams and operates with an efficiency greater than about one percent.
In a device for providing electro-magnetic oscillations comprising an electron beam generator, magnetic field focusing means for focusing the electron beam and a slow wave circuit having an interdigital structure of an electrically non-conducting material with metalized surfaces adjacent the beam, the improvement wherein said non-conducting material is synthetic diamond.
In a device for providing electro-magnetic oscillations comprising an electron beam generator, magnetic field focusing means for focusing the electron beam and a slow wave circuit having an interdigital structure of an electrically non-conducting material with metalized surfaces adjacent the beam, the improvement wherein said non-conducting material is a synthetic material.
In a device for providing electro-magnetic oscillations comprising an electron beam generator, magnetic field focusing means for focusing the electron beam and a slow wave circuit and a collector, the improvement including a circuit for decelerating the electrons from said source that were accelerated in the direction of said collector after such electrons have passed said slow wave circuit and the depressing of the voltage of said collector relative to the voltage of said source.
A backward wave oscillator for providing oscillations at a sub-millimeter wavelength, said oscillator having a size and weight acceptable for hand held operation and producing at least one milliwatt of power at an efficiency of at least one percent comprising:
- an electron beam generator comprising a directional source of electrons, a collector of electrons having a voltage depressed relative to the voltage of said source, and means for accelerating electrons emitted from said source in the direction of said collector and for decelerating the electrons from said source after such electrons have passed said slow wave circuit;
- a slow wave circuit disposed intermediate said source and said collector, said circuit having a bi-planar, interdigital, periodical geometric structure of synthetic diamond with the surfaces adjacent the beam being overlaid by a metal selected form the group gold, silver and copper, the interdigital structure including two sets of digits in different but parallel planes, said electron beam passing between said two parallel planes to thereby interact with the full propagation strength of the electro-magnetic energy induced in said slow wave circuit by said beam;
- and
- magnetic field focusing means for focusing the beam of electrons to substantially prevent the impact of the beam with said slow wave circuit a voltage control circuit for electrically tuning the frequency of the oscillations.
In a device for producing electro-magnetic oscillations at a sub-millimeter wavelength comprising an electron beam generator for inducing electro-magnetic oscillations in an associated interdigital slow wave circuit, the improvement wherein the electron beam interacts with the full propagation strength of the induced electro-magnetic oscillations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.