Diamond studded traveling wave tube

Summary form only given.. A novel method of mm wave traveling wave tube (TWT) slow wave circuit fabrication, employing laser micromachining and the in situ growth of diamond studs as an insulating dielectric, is being developed, which would enable a new class of very wideband, low distortion, high efficiency amplifiers. Because the slow wave circuit is supported by an array of diamond studs, rather than the conventional dielectric rods, we have named this novel device the diamond studded TWT. Three innovations not typically employed in the tube industry are being introduced in this development. First, the conventional dielectric support rods are replaced with CVD diamond. Second, the conventional process of winding the helix results in a distortion in the rectangular cross section of the helix tape; this effect is eliminated by micromachining. Third, the circuit is brazed, eliminating the need for large compressive forces to maintain thermal conductivity.