Abstract: An apparatus for generating Smith-Purcell radiation having at least one spectral component at a wavelength ? includes a periodic structure including a dielectric material and an electron source, in electromagnetic communication with the periodic structure, to emit an electron beam propagating within about 5? from a surface of the periodic structure to induce emission of the Smith-Purcell radiation. The electron beam has an electron energy tunable between about 0.5 keV and about 40 keV so as to change a wavelength of the Smith-Purcell radiation.

Abstract: A planar helix slow-wave structure with straight edge connections where the structure consists of two arrays of thin, parallel, conductors printed on top and bottom faces of a low-loss dielectric material or substrate, the conductors in the arrays printed on the top and bottom surfaces being inclined at different but symmetric pitch angles on the surface of the planar surface, the conjunction ends of the conductors on the top and bottom faces being connected by vertical conductors with circular rings with a diameter greater than the diameter of the vertical conductors to ensure proper connections between them, and a vacuum tunnel inside the planar helix structure.

Abstract: Various apparatuses and methods for a vacuum electronic device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a vacuum electronic device includes a vacuum housing, an array of slow wave structures inside the vacuum housing sharing a common electron beam tunnel, an electron beam input port at a first end of the common electron beam tunnel, and an electron beam output port at a second end of the common electron beam tunnel.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) system. A resistive ladder comprises a plurality of resistors having an approximately equal resistance and is arranged in a respective plurality of resistive rungs between first and second ends of the resistive ladder. The first end of the resistive ladder can be coupled to an output and at least a portion of the plurality of resistors between the first end and the second end of the resistive ladder can have a physical size that is descending size-scaled in a direction from the first end of the resistive ladder to the second end of the resistive ladder. A switching circuit is configured to connect each of the plurality of resistive rungs to one of a first voltage and a second voltage based on a binary value of a digital input signal to generate a corresponding analog output voltage at the output.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating or modifying electromagnetic waves or electromagnetic waves or a beam of particles, eg atoms, ions, molecules or charged particles, the apparatus comprising a micro or nano electrical conductor crossbar network having multiple cross-over junctions that define respective scattering points for electromagnetic waves or the particles of the beam. At least one structural parameter of the crossbar network is selectively tuneable to obtain a desired manipulation or modification of said wave or beam when incident on the network in a pre-determined directional electrical conductor crossbar network (10) configured as an atomic beam diffraction grating. The direction of wave propagation of the atomic beam is indicated by the arrow (15).

Abstract: A device for providing electromagnetic oscillations in the sub-millimeter range comprising one or more electron beam generators for providing a first and a second electron beam and one or more magnetic field generators for focusing the first and second electron beams. The device may comprise an oscillator comprising a slow wave circuit having a structure of an electrically non-conducting material with metallized surfaces adjacent the first electron beam and an amplifier comprising a slow wave circuit having a structure of an electrically non-conducting material with metallized surfaces adjacent the second electron beam and electrically connected to said oscillator. The oscillator and amplifier may be formed on a single substrate utilizing a single deposition process. The oscillator and amplifier may be contained in a single vacuum envelope.

Abstract: To provide a mute circuit capable of reducing or eliminating noises generated in accordance with an offset voltage under a mute operation. The present invention comprises a summing amplifier, switch, and mute signal generating circuit.

Abstract: A discrete monotron oscillator for use in a high power microwave device is formed with a microwave oscillator having a half-wavelength resonant coaxial microwave cavity operating in fundamental TEM mode for microwave oscillation with an inner conductor defining a drift tube for propagating an electron beam and an outer conductor coaxial with the inner conductor. The inner conductor defines a modulating gap and an extraction gap downstream of the modulating gap. The modulating gap and the extraction gap connect the coaxial microwave cavity with the drift tube so that energy for the microwave oscillation is extracted from the electron beam at the extraction gap and modulates the electron beam at the modulating gap. For high power operation, an annular electron beam is used.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for generating a very fast electron pulse (30) in a vacuum. The electron source comprises a pulse-forming line (12), a solid-state switch (14), a cold field-emitting cathode (16), and an anode grid (18). The anode grid forms a portion of a side of an evacuated circuit (20) that may be used to produce an oscillating output signal or that may be a portion of a waveguide carrying an rf signal to be amplified. In operation, the pulse-forming line is charged to a desirable voltage. The solid-state switch is then closed, coupling the pulse-forming line to the cathode. An electric field develops between the cathode and anode grid. Under the influence of the electric field, the cathode emits an electron current pulse that is attracted by the anode grid. The current pulse enters the region between the anode and closure grids, and interacts with the electromagnetic field in the cavity at the appropriate time to add its energy to the electromagnetic field of the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for generating a very fast electron pulse (30) in a vacuum. The electron source comprises a pulse-forming line (12), a solid-state switch (14), a cold field-emitting cathode (16), and an anode grid (18). The anode grid forms a portion of a side of an evacuated circuit (20) that may be used to produce an oscillating output signal or that may be a portion of a waveguide carrying an rf signal to be amplified. In operation, the pulse-forming line is charged to a desirable voltage. The solid-state switch is then closed, coupling the pulse-forming line to the cathode. An electric field develops between the cathode and anode grid. Under the influence of the electric field, the cathode emits an electron current pulse that is attracted by the anode grid. The current pulse enters the region between the anode and closure grids, and interacts with the electromagnetic field in the cavity at the appropriate time to add its energy to the electromagnetic field of the cavity.

Abstract: A high energy level arrangement for generating microwave frequency electromagnetic energy from a DC power source by way of a high energy level electron beam coupled into an output waveguide member and serving therein as an antenna source of energy for the waveguide member. The electron beam is preferably spatially and timewise modulated with sinusoids to improve conversion efficiency to dominant mode waveguide energy. The disclosure includes several embodiments including a waveform splicing arrangement and plural electron gun embodiments and discloses quantitative efficiency and operating voltage level data. Use of the invention in weaponry, radar, deep space communication and other high radio frequency level energy applications is also disclosed.

Abstract: A microwave generator that uses an electron beam and the phenomenon of the oscillating virtual cathode, but makes it possible to obtain energy with improved spectral quality and conversion efficiency as compared with standard vircator generators. This is achieved by the separate use of the electrons coming from the virtual cathode (80), that is, transmitted electrons (80) or reflected electrons (81) to convert their kinetic energy into microwave energy (4).

Abstract: A reflecting electron tube for producing high-power, high-frequency, monoomatic microwave pulses includes an anode which produces little or no ion flux when struck by electrons emitted from a cathode, and requires no applied, external magnetic field. An anode support holding the anode and a cathode shank which supports the cathode are positioned within a vacuum chamber such that the anode is closely spaced from the cathode. The anode support is connected to a pulsed high-voltage supply located external to the chamber. The anode is formed from a material which does not produce a significant amount of ion flux but does permit electrons emitted from the cathode to oscillate through the anode. Electrons oscillating in phase bunch together within the potential well of the system and emit microwave radiation.