The Hobetron-a high power vacuum electronic switch

This paper describes a new high-power, hollow electron beam, current-regulating switch tube that we call the Hobetron. Experimental data on the Litton L-6026 Hobetron, an engineering prototype designed to stand off 125 kV dc and switch 200 amps, has demonstrated that Hobetron performance is in excellent agreement with computer predictions over the range of test. Further, the data confirmed that L-6026 switch power loss is less than 20% that of standard magnetron injection gun (MIG) switch tubes (for similar currents through each). Various potential Hobetron applications are presented throughout the paper. It is possible to include an additional electrode in the basic Hobetron configuration for even higher voltage standoff and switch current capability, and the paper presents an arrangement capable of standing off 500 kV dc and switching 500 amps. Simulations of a superpower "Hobetron-Plus" are presented, and the potential of this device as an efficient, 50 MW peak, relatively compact, VHF power amplifier for advanced heavy-particle (e.g., muon) colliders, is evaluated.