Miniature W-band Dielectric Traveling-Wave Tube

This project will involve the prototype development of a miniature W-band dielectric traveling-wave tube (DTWT) that will provide short-wavelength radiation for the network-centric Objective Force. The DTWT is based on the novel interaction between asmall-diameter electron beam and the electromagnetic fields of a traveling wave inside a very compact dielectric waveguide. The dielectric waveguide is used to slow down the wave and replaces the less efficient helix structures used in conventionaltraveling-wave tubes. A pioneering step in this development will be the use of solid-state microfabrication techniques for the fabrication of the DTWT components. Our initial studies show the DTWT to be twice as efficient as conventional helixtraveling-wave tubes and less sensitive to shock and vibration, making the DTWT ideal for rough battlespace environments. Detailed numerical and computational analyses of this concept are proposed in order to evaluate key issues such as bandwidth, maximumoutput power, efficiency and gain. Once fully developed, the DTWT should be capable of replacing conventional traveling-wave tubes in telecommunication systems for future space applications by offering substantial improvements over its counterparts insize, weight, and especially efficiency. If successful, the dielectric traveling-wave tube should efficiently provide coherent high-frequency radiation for many civilian and military communication and radio sensing applications. Of particular interestare millimeter-wave sources for airborne radar, satellite communications, wireless television and communications, cellular telephones, and the microwave power module.