Photonic bandgap structures-oversized circuits for vacuum electron devices

Use of microwave photonic band gap (PBG) structures is a promising approaching in improving the performance of vacuum electron devices (VED) in terms of better mode control and higher output power. Typically, a PBG structure is made up of a one-, two- or three-dimensional periodic metallic structures. When designed properly, it acts like a filter, reflecting RF fields in a certain frequency range while allowing RF fields at other frequencies to transmit through. We have launched a comprehensive theoretical, computational, and experimental research program to develop an advanced VED based on PBG structures.