Novel, High Power, W-band, Meander Line TWT

This proposal contains innovative, traveling-wave tube (TWT) designs compatible with three-dimensional (3D) micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques for millimeter-wave applications. The development will focus on novel planar interaction circuits; long life, high current density electron guns; and compact magnet configurations. The ultimate goal will be high power, efficient, compact, lightweight, and affordable RF sources. The batch nature of MEMS fabrication provides repeatability of components for increased yields and reliability, and reduced cost. The Phase I effort will use advanced, state-of-the-art simulation tools to design a 95 GHz traveling wave tube providing 100’s of watts of peak power. We will thoroughly investigate the interaction circuit for its thermal and electrical performance, including bandwidth and efficiency. In addition, the program will design major TWTA components, including the electron gun and focusing structure. In parallel, we will explore MEMS fabrication techniques to integrate several TWT components into the fabrication process to avoid assembly and alignment procedures, which become increasingly difficult at higher frequencies. Continuing work will include fabrication and testing of a 95 GHz, miniaturized TWT with the goal of fabricating the entire system by MEMS techniques for “TWT on a chip” technology.