Design, Manufacturing, and Performance Results of a 1.2-MW Peak, 704-MHz Multibeam Inductive Output Tube

Development overview and test results of a multibeam inductive output tube that produces over 1.2 MW peak power at 704 MHz with over 65% efficiency are presented. This is a collaborative effort between Thales Electron Devices and Communications & Power Industries to design and fabricate a new RF source for the European Spallation Source. The first prototype unit has been designed and built. Initial test at CERN demonstrated output power of 1.2 MW peak, efficiency of 69.8%, and gain of 21.4 dB at 1-ms operation. When the pulselength was increased to 4 ms, instability in the RF output pulse developed as the result of a mechanical contact issue in the output window. The prototype is in the process of being repaired and the unit will be returned to CERN for full characterization and final testing in early 2018.