Design and Testing of Ubitron Amplifier Tubes
Abstract
The components for a single-stage/single-pass Ku band ubitron amplifier have been designed, constructed, and tested. Notable features of this device include a high quality electron beam and circularly polarized microwave and wiggler fields. Stable operation of the assembled amplifier has been achieved during initial testing using a modified SLAC klystron electron gun. In addition, amplifier and oscillator operation was measured using an unusual rippled beam parameter regime. The ubitron was only operated in the small signal regime; no large signal measurements (e.g. saturation) were attempted. In this regime, peak gains of 19 dB were measured with greater than 25% bandwidth. The general performance characteristics are in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions, although there are discrepancies between the measured and theoretical gain vs. frequency profiles. More work is needed to determine whether this is a deficiency in the model or if operational characteristics are not adequately well known, e.g. details of the wiggler field profile. An investigation of ubitron amplifier performance limits, including performance enhancement through system parameter tapering, should be possible with operation at the design voltage using the advanced electron gun.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA273297
Entities
People
- Dean Pershing