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Use of High-Power Traveling Wave Tubes as a Microwave Heating Source

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

C. A. Everleigh
Affiliation:
Microwave Laboratories, Inc., 8917 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
A. C. Johnson
Affiliation:
Microwave Laboratories, Inc., 8917 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
R. J. Espinosa
Affiliation:
Microwave Laboratories, Inc., 8917 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
R. S. Garard
Affiliation:
Microwave Laboratories, Inc., 8917 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
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Abstract

This paper reports on the use of high-power traveling wave tubes (TWTs) as a source of microwave energy for materials processing applications. Recent work by Oak Ridge National Laboratories and Microwave Laboratories personnel has demonstrated the usefulness of sweeping the microwave processing frequency over substantial (>20%) bandwidths in order to achieve uniformity of heating over volumes unattainable using conventional microwave sources ∼ e.g., magnetrons. Properly constructed high-power TWTs are a logical choice of microwave source in such systems. After briefly reviewing the basic operating principles of the TWT, the required characteristics of a TWT for materials processing applications and how those requirements affect the TWT's design are discussed. Comments on the present product lines and areas of development for all of the major TWT manufacturers are also presented. Finally, the issue of the ultimate potential cost of TWTs designed for microwave processing applications is addressed.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1994

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References

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