Vacuum Electron Devices for Applications in " Big Science"

Vacuum electron devices (VEDs) are the most powerful and efficient sources of coherent radiation throughout the microwave and millimeter wave bands. Traditional applications of powerful VEDs are in such areas as defense, radar, communications, or industrial heating. This presentation will review prospects for new applications in scientific research, especially in large scale applications, sometimes referred to as "Big Science." Opportunities are promising in at least three fields: plasma heating in the program of nuclear fusion energy research; particle acceleration; and terahertz technology