Recent Advances in the Theory and Experiment of Multipactor Suppression

The secondary electron emission (SEE) from materials used in high power RF devices in space is the main trigger and sustaining mechanism of the resonant avalanche electron discharge known as the multipactor effect. It limits the attainable power of those devices. Methods of improving breakdown thresholds are key challenges in a RF or microwave device operating under vacuum conditions. In this paper, we investigated the history of multipactor phenomenon briefly and introduced two types of multipactor graphically. Next, we summarize the current main methods of multipactor suppression, and give the advantages and disadvantages of various methods. Finally, we survey current theoretical and experimental research on multipactor suppression by surface treatments. These methods may solve the key issues of high-power RF or microwave devices in space application.