Thermo-Mechanical Design and Analysis of W-Band Sheet Beam Electron Gun Assembly for Efficient Heat Dissipation

This article reports, thermo-mechanical analysis of a sheet beam electron gun compatible with vacuum electronic devices operating in $\mathbf{W}$ band frequencies. Thermal analysis of the electron gun has been carried out to estimate temperature distribution at different parts of the electron gun assembly which in turn dictates possible geometrical alternations of electron gun components and crucial inter-component geometrical dimensions. The electrode geometries, support structures, cathode heat shield and joints have been optimized to minimize thermal drain in operating condition of the device. Estimation of the optimal heater power has been done to achieve proper uniform temperature across the cathode surface using transient and steady state simulation. Thermal deformation of electrodes has been computed in order to evaluate the spacing between electrodes in operating condition which is crucial to estimate realistic beam current during operating conditions.