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MEMS based Traveling Wave Tube Amplifiers for Space Applications
Title: President
Phone: (408) 741-8680
Email: rlives@calcreek.com
Title: Chief Operating Officer
Phone: (650) 400-5698
Email: purobi@calcreek.com
A combination of innovative component designs based on three-dimensional MEMS fabrication capabilities and advanced computational tools provide the foundation for miniaturizing TWTs, enabling operation above 80 GHz. Preliminary component designs werecompleted utilizing field emission arrays (FEA) as the electron source. FEAs offer significant improvements in efficiency compared to thermionic cathodes. Periodic permanent magnet (PPM) focusing and slow-wave circuits were designed around MEMS technologyto provide compact, lightweight devices. The fabrication of slow-wave circuits and a beam test assembly is underway. State-of-the-art simulation tools will be used to optimize designs for all major tube components, including the slow-wave circuit,input/output couplers, electron gun, PPM, and collector. The goal is to fabricate the entire system by MEMS techniques for
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