Dispenser cathode high power gridded klystron gun

This paper describes the design and performance of a new shadow gridded gun useful for high power radar klystrons. The gun features an M-type dispenser cathode having heater power identical to a larger diameter cathode oxide cathode gun used in one application. It is known that dispenser cathodes are more tolerant of arcs, poisoning, and other effects that can ruin oxide cathodes, so replacement of the oxide cathode with a dispenser cathode represents an effective means of increasing klystron life and reliability.