Low-voltage field emitter array operation in cold cathode TWT

The implementation of field emitter arrays as an electron beam source for TWTs has experienced some advancement in the past decade. The recent development of low-voltage Spindt field emitter arrays however has made possible operation at significantly reduced voltages, potentially improving emitter reliability and lifetime. As such, L-3 Electron Devices, teamed with SRI International, is developing a Field Emitter Array TWT (FEA-TWT) employing these new cathodes in order to evaluate their operation in the TWT vacuum environment, to investigate TWT design specific to use of field emitter arrays, and to quantify several aspects of FEA-TWT performance that will be substantially different than those of conventional thermionic-based TWTs.