Multiple-Beam Electron Gun for Radar Applications

The objective of this program is to develop a multiple electron gun capable of high-repetition rate operation to be employed in high-power broadband multiple beam amplifiers for future radar and communications applications. The performance of these amplifiers depends critically on the quality of the electron beam produced by the electron gun, and thus, the proposed research program is structured to ensure the successful development of a key enabling technology. A particular emphasis of this program will be the design of the gun's beam modulation electrodes to be compatible with existing and planned pulsed power technology. A secondary emphasis will also be placed on the cathode current density to ensure long operational lifetime. State-of-the-art 3-D gun code, MICHELLE, and magnetic code, MAXWELL-3D, will be employed for the gun design in the Phase-I program. The resulting electron gun will be developed and tested in collaboration with our industrial partners during the Phase-II program.