Improvements in the fabrication technology of multi-stage depressed collector for space traveling wave tubes

The fabrication of multi-stage depressed collector for space TWTs involve several complexities due to the stringent space constraints imposed. Few common problems encountered are: (1) high voltage breakdown problems; (2) large size; (3) bulkier; (4) long fabrication time. In order to counteract these problems, single-ceramic technology has been used in the fabrication of the collector. Due to this, size and weight reduction has been made possible. Further, radial feed-throughs have been used rather than axil feed-throughs, thereby eliminating highvoltage break-down issues. The number of operations involved in the fabrication of the collector has been reduced from fourteen to four, as compared to its conventional multi-ceramic counterpart.