Analysis of a U-shaped vane-loaded helical slow-wave structure for wideband travelling-wave tubes

The dispersion equation and interaction impedance of a U-shaped vane-loaded helical slow-wave structure (SWS) is obtained by considering the azimuthal space harmonic in the non-vane region and the helical tape thickness, using the field theory matching method in the azimuthal field discontinuity. The theoretical calculation by electromagnetic analysis is consistent with the simulation result by MAFIA, which can explain some physical essence of the SWS. In the helical SWS, negative dispersion is reported to reduce the second harmonic content of a wideband travelling-wave tube at the low-frequency end of the band. When the SWS is assembled, the support rods are easily located in the groove of the vane. The solution provides a new instruction method for other types of vane-loaded helical SWS.     

一种具有新型分立介质支撑的翼片加载螺旋带慢 波结构的研究

本文研究了一种具有新型分立介质支撑的翼片加载螺旋带慢波系统,该种慢波系统具有较高的功率容量和较宽的带宽.通过用切比雪夫多项式来展开螺旋带上的面电流,用真空层来模拟螺旋带的厚度,用均匀分层介质来等效新型分立介质支撑,考虑到过渡连接金属块的影响,用场论的方法得到了非常实用的色散方程和耦合阻抗的表达式,同时进行了HFSS模拟,发现用场论的方法所得出的结果与用HFSS模拟的结果吻合良好.本文的结果对这种新型慢波结构的设计具有指导意义.     

Validation of HFCS-I on Calculation of High-Frequency Parameters of Helical Slow-Wave Structures

To validate HFCS-I, a newly developed design tool for high frequency circuits of microwave tubes, the high-frequency parameters (including dispersion, interaction impedance and attenuation constant) of a typical helical slow-wave structure (SWS) for millimetre wave travelling-wave tube are calculated by HFCS-I and MAFIA. Both the direct calculation method and the Non-Resonant Perturbation (NRP) technique are adopted to get the interaction impedance. The obtained high-frequency parameters from HFCS-I and MAFIA are compared in detail and the consistency has proved the reliability and validity of HFCS-I.     

Nonresonant perturbation measurements on dispersion and interactionimpedance characteristics of helical slow-wave structures

A nonresonant perturbation (NRP) theory is developed from first principles for the measurement of dispersion and interaction impedance characteristics of a helical slow-wave structure (SWS). The phase of the reflected signal from a test helical structure varies when a perturber, also in the form of a helix, is moved along the axis of the test structure. The variation of phase with perturber position is interpreted to find the phase velocity of the structure under test. The interaction impedance of the structure is found by measuring the change in the axial phase-propagation constant of the structure as a dielectric rod is placed along the axis of the structure. Measurements are carried out with the help of an automated setup using an HP 8510 vector network analyzer (VNA) and a PC to collect the phase informations for the various precisely controlled positions of the perturber using a stepper motor, which is also interfaced with the PC. The experimental and theoretical values of the phase velocity and the interaction impedance of a typical “cold” experimental helical structure for a wide-band TWT are found to be close within 0.5% and 5%, respectively, in an octave band of 8-16 GHz     

Analysis of the Dispersion Characteristic and Interaction Impedance of a Tape Helix Slow Wave Structure with Novel Supporting Mode

In order to enhance the power capability of the helix travelling wave tube, a novel tape helix slow wave structure (SWS), which is supported by helically arrayed radial dielectric-support posts, is developed. Each dielectric post can be easily brazed with the tape helix and the metal envelope by means of a special soldering. This kind of supporting mode can protect the dielectric supporting posts from being broken by the thermal stress in the case of high temperature. A hybrid model is set up in consideration of the influences of both the radial thickness of the tape helix and these discrete dielectric-support posts. The dispersion equation and interaction impedance of the helical SWS are obtained. The calculated results using this hybrid model presented in the paper show good agreements with the HFSS simulation results. All the results presented here can provide a good basis for designing the novel tape helix SWS.     

Nonlinear Eulerian hydrodynamical analysis of helix traveling-wavetubes for harmonic generation and its control

Eulerian hydrodynamics was developed to study the nonlinear problem of second harmonic generation in a helix traveling-wave tube (TWT). A closed-form expression for the second-harmonic component of RF output power was obtained. The method required the specification of the dispersion and interaction impedance characteristics of the helical slow-wave structure (SWS) used in the device, obtainable by the field analysis of the SWS. Care was taken however to restrict the present Eulerian theory to the correct regime, which was found in terms of the RF input power drive and the device interaction length, by validating the theory against the more accurate Lagrangian theory. Within this regime, that was below the saturation level of the device, the effect of the dispersion of the SWS on the second harmonic generated in the device was studied. It was found that, irrespective of whether the dispersion of the SWS is positive or negative, the second harmonic content of the device decreased with the amount of the dispersion. Furthermore, though both the fundamental and the second harmonic content of the device decreased with the distributed loss on the SWS, the second harmonic relative to the fundamental showed a minimum at an optimum value of the distributed loss     

Investigation into the Effect of Dielectric Loss on RF Characteristics of Helical SWS

A general theory has been developed to account for the effect of the dielectric loss of discrete rods on the performance characteristics of an actual helical slow wave structure (SWS). The effect of the lossy dielectric rods has been studied on various propagation parameters, namely, phase propagation constant, interaction impedance and attenuation constant at different operating frequency. It is clearly shown that the influence of dielectric loss on RF characteristics is much larger at the millimeter frequency band than that at the microwave frequency band, especially on interaction impedance and attenuation constant. The general theory developed here has been further confirmed by comparing the results with those obtained elsewhere for some special cases.     

ANALYSIS OF RECTANGULAR WAVEGUIDE GRATING SLOW-WAVE STRUCTURE WITH THE ARBITRARY SHAPED GROOVES

The rectangular waveguide grating slow-wave structure (SWS) with arbitrary shaped grooves is presented and analyzed in this paper. As an all-metal slow-wave circuit, it has properties that can be used in high-power millimeter-wave or sub-millimeter wave traveling wave tube (TWT). The unified dispersion equation and the expression of coupling impedance are obtained in this paper by means of an approximate field-theory analysis, in which the profile of the groove is approximately replaced by a series of steps and the field continuity at the interface of two neighboring steps together with the field matching conditions at the interface between the groove region and the interaction region are employed. A rectangular groove SWS was manufactured and the cold measurement was made. The experimental data are in good agreement with the numerical calculation. The derived transcendental equations are resolved numerically for four classical structures such as rectangular, dovetail, ladder and cosine. Finally, taking the rectangular waveguide grating SWS with rectangular grooves for example, the influences of physical dimensions on dispersion relation and coupling impedance are discussed.     

毫米波行波管返波振荡的仿真研究

该文利用HFSS仿真了工作在Ka波段的螺旋线、反绕双螺旋线及耦合腔等慢波系统,通过傅里叶分析得到空间谐波,进而分析和比较了上述慢波系统的返波振荡特性.结果表明:螺旋线慢波系统中出现明显的角向谐波次数和轴向谐波次数不相等的窄问谐波分量,在π模附近,有产生返波振荡的危险:而反绕双螺旋线通过提高基波耦合阻抗及可工作的归一化频率来提高了抑制返波振荡的能力;为了避免返波振荡,耦合腔工作频带的选择应尽可能远离单腔相移为π,2π的频点.     

螺旋线慢波结构冷特性自动测量系统

介绍了一种用于螺旋线慢波结构模型色散特性和耦合阻抗的自动测量系统,它以非谐振微扰法为理论基础,硬件系统包括矢量网络分析仪、PC机、电移台、机械结构、光学监测装置等,并研制了专用的测量控制和数据处理软件。该系统实现了螺旋线慢波结构测量的自动化控制,人机界面友好,测量进程控制灵活,可以直接给出2～20 GHz频率范围内的色散特性和耦合阻抗的频响曲线。测量对象为行波管研制中所用螺旋线慢波结构的1∶1模型。     

几种典型翼片加载螺旋线行波管色散及返波特性研究

利用德国CST公司商业电磷仿真软件微波工作室（Microwave Studio）对几种典型翼片加载螺旋线行波管的冷色散进行了计算，对基波和返波色散曲线进行了数值拟合，给出了相应的返波振荡频率及其该频率下的基波和返波的耦合阻抗。本文还分析了两种常见翼片加载结构翼片与螺旋线间距变化对基波色散、返波振荡频率及相应耦合阻抗的影响。     

A generalized linear theory of the discrete electron-wave interaction in slow-wave structures

A linear theory of the discrete interaction of electron flows and electromagnetic waves in slow-wave structures (SWSs) is developed. The theory is based on the finite-difference equations of SWS excitation. The local coupling impedance entering these equations characterizes the field intensity excited by the electron flow in interaction gaps and has a finite value at SWS cutoff frequencies. The theory uniformly describes the electron-wave interaction in SWS passbands and stopbands without using equivalent circuits, a circumstance that allows considering the processes in the vicinity of cutoff frequencies and switching from the Cerenkov mechanism of interaction in a traveling-wave tube to the klystron mechanism when passing to SWS stopbands. The features of the equations of the discrete electron-wave interaction in pseudoperiodic SWSs are analyzed.     

THz返波管圆波导梳状慢波结构的研究

该文利用三维电磁仿真软件模拟计算了THz圆波导梳状慢波结构的负1次返波的色散和耦合阻抗。结果证实:在430-570GHz频带内,慢波结构内半径为0.175mm,约为中心频率波长的0.292倍;在760-940GHz的频带内,慢波结构内半径为0.1mm,是中心频率处波长的0.392倍。该结构较大的径向尺寸有利于提高电子注通过率。这种结构负1次返波的耦合阻抗较小,基本上小于1 ,很好解释了现有THz返波管的电子效率小于0.01%的事实。     

Slow-Wave Characteristics of a Frame–Rod Structure Based on Micro-Fabricated Technology for THz Vacuum Electron Devices

A simple equivalent circuit analysis of the frame–rod slow-wave structure (SWS) on dielectric substrates of a traveling-wave tube (TWT) is developed, using the quasi-TEM approximation approach for the dispersion and coupling impedance characteristics of the structure. Moreover, the obtained complex dispersion equation and coupling impedance are numerically calculated. The calculation results by our theory method agree well with the results obtained by the 3D EM simulation software HFSS. It is shown that the dispersion of the frame–rod circuit is decreased; the phase velocity is reduced and the bandwidth becomes greater, while the coupling impedance decreases after filling the dielectric materials in the frame–rod SWS. In addition, a comparison of slow-wave characteristics of this structure with a rectangular helix counterpart is made. As a planar slow-wave structure, this structure has potential applications in compact TWTs based on the micro-fabrication technology, which could be scaled to millimeter wave, even to THz frequency.     

Investigation of Double-groove Loaded Folded-Waveguide Slow-wave Structure for Millimeter Traveling-wave Tubes

To enhance the strength of beam-wave interaction and improve the performance of gain, the double-groove loaded folded-waveguide slow-wave structure (SWS) is proposed for millimeter traveling-wave tubes (TWTs). In the first part, the expressions for the dispersion and the interaction impedance of this novel structure are obtained by using matching conditions of the RF fields. Ansoft HFSS is also used to calculate the high frequency characteristics. The simulation results from HFSS agree with the theoretical results. Numerical calculation for different combinations of the groove width and depth is carried out to study the influence of groove loading on the properties of this novel circuit. In the second part, a linear theory of a double-groove loaded folded-waveguide TWT is developed and calculated for analyzing the effect of groove dimensions on the property of small signal gain. The investigation results indicate that the interaction impedance is obviously raised up and the small signal gain are enhanced by loading groove in the FWSWS.     

太赫兹折叠波导慢波结构止带振荡器

为实现太赫兹新频段的开拓,满足太赫兹应用对实用化功率源的需求,研发了太赫兹折叠波导慢波结构止带振荡器。器件工作在慢波结构的止带附近,利用高耦合阻抗的特点,完成强注波互作用,实现大功率、小尺寸的太赫兹源。实验验证的振荡器样管采用了折叠波导慢波结构,工作电压为23.1 kV,工作电流为150 mA,在振荡频率为124.45 GHz时,最大脉冲输出功率达到32 W。实验结果表明,该器件适于作为开拓新频段的探索,能够满足高功率、窄带宽需求的太赫兹应用。     

220 GHz折叠波导慢波结构的有损参数化模型

建立了自洽的考虑波导璧损耗的折叠波导等效电路模型,用来计算该慢波结构周期TE10模式中各次空间谐波的相速度,耦合阻抗和线衰减系数.分析结果将会用到220 GHz折叠波导返波管一维束波互作用模型的计算中.当微波频率上升到太赫兹波段时,粗糙波导表面电流导致的壁损将不能再忽略不计.进一步研究表明,起振电流和输出功率水平将和损耗特性的计算密切相关.从原有模型发展而来的有损电路模型可以给出更准确损耗估计.建立了折叠波导慢波线三维谐振腔模型来验证本文的等效电路理论,有较好的吻合.采用了该理论导出参数的一维束波互作用模型和三维数值PIC方法同样有很好的一致性.     

The Small Signal Analysis of a Centered Dielectric-Rod Loaded,Arbitrarily-Shaped Helical Groove Traveling-Wave-Tube

Properties of traveling wave-beam interaction in a centered dielectric-rod loaded, arbitrarily-shaped helical groove slow-wave structure (SWS) are investigated for a thin annular electron beam. The “hot” dispersion equation is obtained by means of the self-consistent field theory, and the small signal analysis is carried out including the effects of the dielectric-rod parameters and the groove shapes. The numerical results show that the bandwidth of the helical groove TWT is expanded by loading dielectric-rod, however, the small-signal gain is reduced; and when the groove shape changes from the swallow-tail shape to the triangle shape, the working frequency increases , while the peak gain decreases.     

矩形波导加载光栅结构的太赫兹振荡器

本文采用矩形波导加载光栅的慢波结构作为太赫兹返波管的高频结构,通过理论分析和电磁仿真研究了该慢波结构的色散特性和互作用阻抗,理论分析结果和仿真结果能很好地吻合。在理论分析的基础上,设计了一个中心频率为340GHz的返波管,经粒子模拟软件计算,在较低电流密度的情况下该返波管输出功率达100mW且可调带宽约30GHz。     

螺旋线慢波结构的参数变化对其冷测特性的影响

本文介绍了用MAFIA软件的准周期边界条件计算螺旋线行波管慢波结构的色散和耦合阻抗等冷测特性的方法,并重点对慢波结构中各参数,特别是矩形螺旋线截面的宽度和厚度对其冷测特性的影响进行了分析.这是目前理论上没有解决的难题.分析结果表明,螺旋线的宽度和厚度对其色散影响不大,而对耦合阻抗有一定影响.对耦合阻抗而言,螺旋带宽度和厚度都存在一个最佳值.