1.5: Development of field emission cathodes, electron gun and a slow wave structure for a terahertz traveling wave tube

Nathaniel P. Lockwood, Keith L. Cartwright, P. D. Gensheimer, D. A. Shiffler, Christian Y. D'Aubigny, Christopher K. Walker, Abraham Young, Steven B. Fairchild, Benji Maruyama

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

High power terahertz (THz) sources and amplifiers hold the potential to greatly improve remote sensing and high bandwidth communication. To enable these applications, a Traveling Wave Tube (TWT) operating at 0.22 THz and a multi-cathode Field Emission (FE) electron gun are developed and characterized using a Particle-in-Cell simulation. Three candidate high current density cathode materials, Halfnium Carbide (HfC), carbon fibers, and Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) were tested, characterized and their emission properties compared and used to verify simulations. A current of 3.0 mAmps for a single 100 micron diameter single walled nanotube rope was experimentally achieved and used as the basis of the FE gun design. Simulations of the FE gun and THz TWT were coupled and the effects of multiple and single tip FE gun beam characteristics on the TWT gain, bandwidth, and efficiencies are examined for several beam optic configurations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2010 IEEE International Vacuum Electronics Conference, IVEC 2010
Pages25-26
Number of pages2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Event2010 IEEE International Vacuum Electronics Conference, IVEC 2010 - Monterey, CA, United States
Duration: May 18 2010May 20 2010

Publication series

Name2010 IEEE International Vacuum Electronics Conference, IVEC 2010

Other

Other2010 IEEE International Vacuum Electronics Conference, IVEC 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMonterey, CA
Period5/18/105/20/10

Keywords

  • Carbon fiber
  • Carbon nanotubes
  • Cathodes
  • Electron beam
  • Electron gun
  • Field emission
  • ICEPIC
  • Particle-in-cell
  • Terahertz
  • Terahertz amplifier
  • Traveling wave tube

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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