Compact amplifier using time gated beam sources

Summary form only given. A short pulse amplifier which uses a combination of a cold field emitting cathode and a light gated semiconducting switch to generate a gated current beam is discussed. A number of such beams interact transversely with a wideband propagating circuit, with each beam timed accurately to add energy to portions of a pulse as it travels down the circuit at its phase velocity. Peak power outputs of 1 to 20 MW are projected at voltages below 40 kV, with average powers above 1 kW for switch repetition rates of under 100 kHz.