Fast Wave Propagation Characteristics of Dielectric Loaded Tape Helix Structures Placed Around and within a Cylindrical Core

The tape helix slow wave structures used in travelling wave tube (TWT) amplifiers are exploited for use as radiating devices through the fast wave analysis. The dispersion equation is derived from accurate boundary conditions that neither involve assumptions on the current density distribution, nor considers a defined distribution function for a dielectric loaded tape helix slow wave structure surrounded by a conductor or a conductor placed inside the tape helix. Analytical computation of the dispersion characteristics of both the structures revealed the presence of fast wave modes usable for applications such as antennas.