Ku-band MPM booster helix TWT design and validation

Abstract

Summary form only given. An MPM (microwave power module) booster TWT has been designed using the CHRISTINE RF interaction codes developed by NRL and SAIC. CHRISTINE 1D was used to design a mini-TWT, operating in the Ku band, with the goal of increasing the linear power range of the tube. The electron gun was designed using DEMEOS, our in-house electron beam trajectory code. A full thermal beam run was done to obtain the appropriate beam input into CHRISTINE 3D and a sample drive curve at 14 GHz is given. A full comparison of the measured small signal, large signal, backward-wave stability, and intermodulation products to the predictions of the CHRISTINE codes is presented.