Litton Systems, Inc.

Gregory T Schaeffer

John C Cipolla

Guilford R MacPhail

An improved low power pulsed anode magnetron is provided having a cylindrical cathode centrally disposed within a plurality of radial anode vanes. An interaction region is provided between the surface of the cathode and the anode vane tips. A ratio of the anode-to-cathode space over the center-to-center distance between adjacent vane tips is within a range between 0.95 and 1.05. The cathode is joined to a magnetic polepiece assembly which channels magnetic flux to the interaction region. Both the cathode and the polepiece are mechanically adjustable from external to the magnetron to reposition the cathode and polepiece with respect to the anode vanes. The cathode surface is formed from an active nickel alloy which is cleaned by a chemical process followed by a high temperature and vacuum firing. An emissive surface is applied over the cleaned cathode surface. The output spectrum of the magnetron is calibrated by applying a sequential pulsed input of increasing amplitude, and adjusting the relative cathode-anode position until the frequency spectrum remains constant.

Method for improving spectrum quality of low power pulsed anode

Low power pulsed anode magnetron for improving spectrum quality

The present invention discloses an enhanced secondary electron emitter cathode suitable for use in a typical crossed-field amplifiers. The emitter surfaces of the cathode are formed into protuberances or knurls. The cathode's secondary emission characteristics are enhanced by providing protuberances with more surface area for electrons to bombard and for electrons to be emitted from. The protuberances increase the variety of angles of incidence of bombarding electrons thereby increasing the probability that bombarded electrons can escape the cathode's surfaces.

Enhanced secondary electron emitter

A tunable, coaxial-vacuum magnetron is shown having a cathode surrounded by an anode within a surrounding evacuated anode cavity. Located between the cathode-anode interaction space and an output from the anode cavity is a tuning mechanism which includes a single symmetrical ceramic tuning rod that is adjusted along its axis into and out of the anode cavity. The adjustment mechanism includes a tuning nut rotatably mounted in a tuning housing which turns to move a threaded shaft along the axis thereof. Separating the threaded shaft from the anode cavity is a bellows attached to the tuning housing and to which is attached the symmetrical tuning rod for sealing the vacuum cavity.

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Williamsport, PA, United States of America

Gregory T Schaeffer