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Operation of a 140 GHz Gyro-amplifier using a Dielectric-loaded, Sever-less Confocal Waveguide
Alexander V Soane1, Michael A Shapiro1, Sudheer Jawla1
1Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. 02139.
IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science. IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society
|October 17, 2017
Summary
A novel 140 GHz gyro-amplifier utilizing a dielectric-loaded, sever-less confocal waveguide achieved stable operation. This design demonstrates significant gain and output power for advanced millimeter-wave applications.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Electrical Engineering
- Applied Electromagnetics
Background:
- Millimeter-wave devices are crucial for advanced communication and sensing.
- Gyro-traveling wave amplifiers (GTWAs) offer high-power amplification at high frequencies.
- Confocal waveguide structures present unique electromagnetic properties for wave propagation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and experimentally validate a 140 GHz gyro-amplifier.
- To investigate the performance of a dielectric-loaded, sever-less confocal waveguide in a GTWA.
- To achieve stable operation and characterize key performance metrics of the device.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a confocal waveguide geometry supporting the HE06 mode.
- Incorporated dielectric loading to suppress unwanted modes and ensure stability.
- Employed Vlasov-type quasi-optical couplers for efficient power input and output.
- Operated the device with a 48 kV, 3A electron beam.
Main Results:
- Achieved zero-drive stable operation.
- Demonstrated a peak circuit gain of 35 dB.
- Observed a bandwidth of 1.2 GHz.
- Reached a peak output power of 550 W at 140.0 GHz.
Conclusions:
- The dielectric-loaded, sever-less confocal waveguide is a viable structure for high-frequency gyro-amplifiers.
- The experimental results validate the design's capability for stable, high-gain, and high-power millimeter-wave generation.
- This technology holds promise for future applications requiring efficient millimeter-wave sources.
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