Long Lifetime TWTAs

Vacuum electron devices face concerns over their operational lifetimes due to electron emitter wear out. Nanocomposite scandate tungsten electron emitters have been introduced into commercially available TWTAs to address these concerns and extend their operational lifetime. The quality of the emitters is monitored by emission testing of every material batch and through a lifetime testing program. To achieve long product lifetime, a low heater power, a high stability power supply, and a thermally stable platform are employed. Over two hundred vacuum electron devices have been manufactured utilizing the long lifetime approach.