Development and Investigation of a Slow-Wave Structure for a Miniature Multiple-Beam W-Band Traveling Wave Tube

The results of the development of a meander-line slow-wave system (SWS) with metal supports for a miniature high-power W-band traveling-wave tube (TWT) with two sheet electron beams are presented. Using a three-dimensional finite element software package, the electromagnetic parameters of the SWS were studied. A two-section model of a TWT amplifier with a sever to prevent self-excitation has been developed. Three-dimensional modeling of the beam-wave interaction has been carried out. It was found that with a total beam current of 200 mA in the linear mode, the gain exceeds 30 dB in the frequency band 95.4-97.75 GHz, and the output power in the saturation mode reaches 120 W. A technology for manufacturing SWSs based on laser micromachining of thin copper plates is proposed. Test samples of the SWS were fabricated and verified using optical and scanning electron microscopy.