Performance Studies of Novel Impregnated Barium-Tungsten Scandate Cathode on the Millimeter-Wave Tubes

With a view to the updated technical progresses and improvements of modern microwave tubes, millimeter-wave tubes especially, there are strong demands in cathode for the realization of higher current density, longer lifetime with decreased sublimation rates, and greater resistance to poisoning from the operating environment, etc. In response to these demands, the authors have developed and implemented the production of an impregnated barium-tungsten scandate cathode, which uses scandium, barium, calcium, aluminum carbonates as emission materials which are impregnated into the tungsten matrix substrate directly. The preparation process of the cathode is described, and its performance studies were also conducted.