Two research programs are in progress to develop W-band traveling wave tubes (TWTs). One uses a folded waveguide (fwg) slow-wave circuit and the other uses a novel, planar meander line circuit. Both devices are currently being assembled. The predicted performance, fabrication methods and challenges, and measured data to date were presented

Two research programs are in progress to develop W-band travelling wave tubes (TWTs). One uses a folded waveguide (fwg) slow-wave circuit, and the other uses a novel, planar meander line circuit. Both devices are currently being assembled. The predicted performance, fabrication methods and challenges, and measured data to date will be presented.

Calabazas Creek Research, Inc. is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to develop advanced backward wave oscillators that incorporate energy recovery, air cooling and improved performance. An improved coupler transforms the generated RF power to a high-purity, Gaussian output mode. The construction of a 600-700 GHz BWO is currently underway with higher frequency sources in development. Simulations predict 6-8 mW of RF power over a 100 GHz bandwidth.

Summary form only given. The initial focus of this program is on the development of Ka-band TWTs producing 10 W of RF power. These devices would potentially be used as RF sources for phased array antennas. This requires innovative TWT designs, which result in improved repeatability, increased yield and reliability, and reduced cost over existing Ka-band devices. To do this, the batch nature of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques is ideal. However, many TWT interaction circuits, such as the conventional helix, are not compatible with MEMS techniques. Thus, Calabazas Creek Research, Inc. (CCR) has computationally investigated several innovative TWT interaction circuits based on MEMS fabrication. These include the square helix, planar helix and modified folded waveguide circuits.