Helical Waveguides: Microwave Amplifiers and Pulse Compressors

Helically corrugated waveguide has proven to be a very versatile microwave component due to the ability to design its dispersion; achieved through coupling of two distinct “smooth-bore” cylindrical waveguide modes, producing an eigenmode with dispersion parameters controlled by the geometry of the helix. This control means that, although the design objectives for the dispersion of a microwave amplifier and a pulse compressor are very different both can be achieved using helically corrugated waveguide, giving it a distinct advantage over conventional, smooth-bore cylindrical waveguide.