Prospects for a 1-THz vacuum microelectronic microstrip amplifier

Microstrip amplifiers using vacuum microelectronic technology with 1-50-W output power at frequencies potentially up to 1 THz are discussed. Practical design limitations are described, including loss in the gated field emission microstrip, required field emission current, space-charge limitations on emission current, and heat dissipation. Two possible designs are presented. The vacuum microelectronic microstrip amplifier appears to be feasible, provided field emitters with the required current densities can be fabricated. Higher output power and amplification to frequencies of 1 THz may be possible by separating the electron collector and the output microstrip. Areas for further work are discussed.<>