An Experimental Second-Harmonic Axis-Encircling Beam Gyro-TWT

Despite the bright potential as a broad band source for future radar and communication applications, the area of harmonic gyro-TWTs with axis-encircling beams has been relatively unexplored. A second-harmonic TE₂₁ gyro-TWT has been constructed at UCD that is predicted to produce 50 kW in Ka-band with 20% efficiency, 30 dB saturated gain and 3% bandwidth and is ready for hot testing. The device is driven by an axis-encircling electron beam from a novel Northrop Grumman cusp gun.