Vacuum Electronics Research at

The University of Michigan

Profs. Ron Gilgenbach, Y.Y. Lau
and Mary Brake
Nuclear Engineering &
Radiological Sciences Dept.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2104
funded by the AFOSR
University of Michigan

OUTLINE
motivation
research topics
recent results
future planned research

University of Michigan

U. Michigan Research Topics

initial studies have begun on a small scale

(expanded program begins Jan. 1, 2000)
crossed field devices: noise and mode
stability experiments
theoretical research on intermodulation and
noise in microwave tubes
microwave plasma cleaning/ processing of
tubes

University of Michigan

Motivation: Crossed Field Amplifier

Applications in DoD Systems (96-97)

University of Michigan

System
CFA Tube
AEGIS
SFD-261/262 and L-4707/4708
PATRIOT
L-4927A
TPS-32
L-4829
TPS-63
VXL-1169, L-4806
APS-116
SFD-251, L-4764
APS-137
L-4764A
MK-92
SFD-233G, L-4810
SPS-48C
SFD-267, L-4717, VXS-1247/1247F, L-4716/4718
SPS-48E
L-4719
HAWK-PAR
L-4939/4940
ARSR-1&2
L-4953
AEGIS (Israel)
L-4891
HADR (Ger., Nor.)
L-4756
FLORIDA (Swit.)
L-4822
E2-C
L-4934
TPN-19/GPN-22
L-4764
AR-320 (UK)
L-4756A
APS-145
VXL-1910 (in development)

magnetron experiments

beginning with oven magnetrons (most

efficient sources known); e.g. Toshiba
2M229, 700-900 W @ 4kV, 0.3A
investigate noise and out-of-band mode
generation (source of EM pollution)
investigate mode hopping in startupregime
explore the existence of quiet-states
(W.C. Brown, 1988 Raytheon Tech. Rep.)

University of Michigan

magnetron experiments
(continued)

utilize time-frequency-analysis to
examine the spectrum of magnetrons
investigate the connection of noise to
excess cathode emission current
modeling of magnetron by Phillips Lab
Scientists (Luginsland and Spencer)

University of Michigan

Microwave-tube related theory

efforts at U of Michigan

1) Intermodulation in klystrons and in TWTs

(Work in progress)
2) Low frequency emission noise from
thermionic cathodes (scaling law synthesized
for flicker noise power relative to shot noise
power)
3) Low frequency ion noise in linear beam tubes
(many observed features, such as sensitivity to
B-field, to cathode voltages, etc., explained by
simple theory.) Methods to reduce this low
frequency phase noise proposed.

University of Michigan

theoretical research (continued)

4. Time-frequency analysis: Novel technique

studied for reduction of interference in timefrequency analysis of tubes that display mode
competition.
5. Crossed-field-device output characterization:
Time frequency analysis being applied to various
crossed-field device output, from microwave
oven magnetron to CFA's. Noise in crossed-field
geometry continues to be investigated.
6. Cathode processes: Processes that affect
cathode life and cathode noise (e.g., changes in
emission due to evaporation and ion
backbombardment) being analyzed.

University of Michigan

MICROWAVE PLASMA
DISCHARGE CLEANING

can clean from the inside of tube

can match microwave frequency to tube type
no electrode impurities added to system
remote cleaning & cleans non-symmetric parts
- high density processing plasma (> 10E1210e14 /cc) Vs. RF plasmas (~10E9 - 10E10 or ICP
=10E12)
in principle, no limitation to plasma column
length, depends upon the power capability
inexpensive sources of 1 kW power at 2.45 GHz

University of Michigan

SURFACE WAVE EXCITED PLASMAS

Electromagnetic surface waves can sustain

long plasma columns
wave is excited at one end of a long tube
containing a gas (~1 Torr to 750 Torr)
EM wave travels along a plasma column it
sustains (from the power that is carried by the
wave) and these media constitute the wave's
sole propagating structure

University of Michigan

INITIAL MICROWAVE PLASMA CLEANING STUDIES

Microwave resonant cavity

Fixed cavity inside diameter of 17.8 cm
Sliding short adjusts the length of the cavity to
obtain specific electromagnetic modes (14.5
cm to ~9.5 cm
Tuning stub , which applies the microwave
power to the cavity, is placed very close to the
glass tube containing the gas/ plasma

University of Michigan

LOW FREQUENCY ION

NOISE IN TWT*
Professor Y.Y. Lau
Nuclear Engineering &
Radiological Sciences Dept.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2104
*In collaboration with Dave Chernin and
Wally Manheimer during sabbatical
in 1999
University of Michigan

A Comparison of Flicker Noise

and Shot Noise on a Hot
Cathode*
Professor Y.Y. Lau
Nuclear Engineering &
Radiological Sciences Dept.
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2104
*In collaboration with K. Jenson and B.
Levush during sabbatical in 1999
University of Michigan

CONCLUSIONS
The University of Michigan will
contribute to the MURI-1999 Program
in:
crossed-field device science
intermodulation and noise
tube processing techniques
time-frequency signal analysis

University of Michigan