High-power S-band pulsed traveling-wave tube

This paper describes a pulsed traveling-wave tube operating in the frequency range of 2400 to 3500 megacycles. The tube delivers a r-f power output of 2 kilowatts peak at 30 db minimum gain. Operating in the small signal region, with a slight readjustment of voltages, gains in excess of 45 db are realized at power outputs in the order of 50 watts. If the tube is driven into saturation as much as 4 kilowatts of output power is possible at a reduction in gain. Beam conversion efficiencies of 40 percent have been observed on a number of these tubes.