Development of microfabricated traveling wave tubes

Abstract

Advances in manufacturing techniques for small structures are facilitating the development of high frequency electron devices. Lithographic techniques, similar to those used by the semiconductor industry, are allowing construction of components with micron-size features, including mode converters, RF windows, field emission array cathodes, and RF circuits. This presentation describes the application of this technology to the development of high frequency traveling wave tubes for high data rate communications.