Quasi-optical spatial power combining millimeter wave high power traveling wave tubes

Abstract

A quasi optical spatial power combining traveling wave tube has been successfully developed and used to increase the output power from solid state devices (as the driver). We report here the development of novel quasi optical spatial power combining for vacuum electronic devices and, more specifically, for traveling wave tubes (TWTs) to increase output power at millimeter waves (MMW) and higher frequencies. A quasi optical spatial power combining array of five complete plus two half slow wave structures (SWSs) was developed at W-band (center frequency 95 GHz) to achieve a combined output power of over 1000 Watts. These SWSs are arranged into a linear array. A sheet beam electron gun and a single stage collector were designed and implemented to mate to the SWSs for this W-band high power TWT.