Traveling-wave tube

Article By:

Roberts, Lester DNA Sequencing and Technology Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.

Last reviewed:January 2021

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.707200

A microwave electronic tube in which a beam of electrons interacts continuously with a wave that travels along a circuit, the interaction extending over a distance of many wavelengths. Traveling-wave tubes can provide amplification over exceedingly wide bandwidths. Typical bandwidths are 10–100% of the center frequency, with gains of 20–60 dB. Low-noise traveling-wave tube amplifiers serve as the inputs to sensitive radars or communications receivers. High-efficiency medium-power traveling-wave tubes are the principal final amplifiers used in communication satellites, the space shuttle communications transmitter, and deep-space planetary probes and landers. High-power traveling-wave amplifiers operate as the final stages of radars, wide-band radar countermeasure systems, and scatter communication transmitters. They are capable of delivering continuous-wave power levels in the kilowatt range and pulsed power levels exceeding a megawatt. See also: Communications satellite; Electronic warfare; Radar; Space communications; Space probe

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