Research and development on high-power millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave electron tubes

Several high-power generators operating in the frequency range above 20 GHz are examined. These are hot-cathode vacuum tubes of the gyrotron type, which operate at voltages under 200 kV and in a magnetic field under 40 kG. A gyrotron research and development program is described, with particular emphasis on its computer-aided design and the use of superconducting magnets. Devices operating in frequency ranges above 200-300 GHz are described, and the concept of using transverse interaction rather than longitudinal interaction is discussed. Although transverse interaction has less energetic efficiency, its uniform magnetic field, high value of deceleration, and the possibility of using a wave with low group velocity make it a viable option. Devices incorporating a small electron accelerator in the same vacuum envelope and operating at relatively low voltage at higher frequencies are presently being investigated.