High-power high-frequency gyrotron amplifiers and investigation of CNT cathode emitters

Alan Young; Craig Robertson; Philip MacInnes; Kieran Wilson; David Speirs; Alan Phelps; Colin Whyte; Kevin Ronald

doi:10.1117/12.3094956

High-power high-frequency gyrotron amplifiers and investigation of CNT cathode emitters

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book

Abstract

By adding a helically corrugation to a cylindrical it is possible to design dispersions with whatever properties are desired. Two such waveguides have been designed, one as the interaction for a gyrotron amplifier and the other for a passive pulse compressor. Modelling of the gyrotron amplifier shows 30dB of gain across the frequency range 9GHz to 9.6GHz. Modelling and low power tests of the pulse compressor show compression ratios of 20. As a potential electron source for the gyrotron amplifier carbon nanotube materials present an interesting development. A short pulse(~100ns), 80kV test rig has been built to test these materials.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	SPIE Proceedings
Editors	Matthew Mcquage, Amy Clark, Christopher R. Wilson
Publisher	SPIE
Volume	14022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3094956
Publication status	Published - 12 Jun 2026
Event	SPIE Defense + Security 2026 - National Harbor, National Harbor, United States Duration: 26 Apr 2026 → 30 Apr 2026 https://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/defense-and-security

Publication series

Name	Proceedings of SPIE
Publisher	SPIE
Volume	14022
ISSN (Print)	0277-786X

Conference

Conference	SPIE Defense + Security 2026
Country/Territory	United States
City	National Harbor
Period	26/04/26 → 30/04/26
Internet address	https://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/defense-and-security

Funding

The project is sponsored by the U.S. AFOSR/EOARD (London, United Kingdom) under FA9550-19-1-7011. The project builds on investment by UK Dstl and EPSRC. The authors would like to thank these agencies for their support.

Access to Document

10.1117/12.3094956

Young-etal-2026-High-power-high-frequency-gyrotron-amplifiers-and-investigation-of-CNT-cathode-emittersFinal published version, 415 KBLicence: CC BY 4.0

High Powered Electro-Magnetic (HPEM) Amplifiers to generate smart waveforms for long range in-band Radio Frequency effects (FA9550-19-1-7011)
Ronald, K. (Principal Investigator), Robertson, C. (Research Co-investigator), Whyte, C. (Research Co-investigator) & Young, A. (Research Co-investigator)
Air Force Office of Scientific Research AFOSR (the)
1/04/19 → 31/03/26
Project: Research

Cite this

@inproceedings{a144c03f29ee4d9fb5a448d92e75b4c9,

title = "High-power high-frequency gyrotron amplifiers and investigation of CNT cathode emitters",

abstract = "By adding a helically corrugation to a cylindrical it is possible to design dispersions with whatever properties are desired. Two such waveguides have been designed, one as the interaction for a gyrotron amplifier and the other for a passive pulse compressor. Modelling of the gyrotron amplifier shows 30dB of gain across the frequency range 9GHz to 9.6GHz. Modelling and low power tests of the pulse compressor show compression ratios of 20. As a potential electron source for the gyrotron amplifier carbon nanotube materials present an interesting development. A short pulse(\textasciitilde{}100ns), 80kV test rig has been built to test these materials.",

author = "Alan Young and Craig Robertson and Philip MacInnes and Kieran Wilson and David Speirs and Alan Phelps and Colin Whyte and Kevin Ronald",

year = "2026",

month = jun,

day = "12",

doi = "10.1117/12.3094956",

language = "English",

volume = "14022",

series = "Proceedings of SPIE",

publisher = "SPIE",

editor = "Matthew Mcquage and Amy Clark and Wilson, \{Christopher R.\}",

booktitle = "SPIE Proceedings",

address = "United States",

note = "SPIE Defense + Security 2026 ; Conference date: 26-04-2026 Through 30-04-2026",

url = "https://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/defense-and-security",

}

Young, A , Robertson, C , MacInnes, P , Wilson, K , Speirs, D , Phelps, A , Whyte, C & Ronald, K 2026, High-power high-frequency gyrotron amplifiers and investigation of CNT cathode emitters. in M Mcquage, A Clark & CR Wilson (eds), SPIE Proceedings. vol. 14022, Proceedings of SPIE, vol. 14022, SPIE, SPIE Defense + Security 2026, National Harbor, Maryland, United States, 26/04/26. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3094956

High-power high-frequency gyrotron amplifiers and investigation of CNT cathode emitters. / Young, Alan ; Robertson, Craig ; MacInnes, Philip et al.
SPIE Proceedings. ed. / Matthew Mcquage; Amy Clark; Christopher R. Wilson. Vol. 14022 SPIE, 2026. (Proceedings of SPIE; Vol. 14022).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution book

TY - GEN

T1 - High-power high-frequency gyrotron amplifiers and investigation of CNT cathode emitters

AU - Young, Alan

AU - Robertson, Craig

AU - MacInnes, Philip

AU - Wilson, Kieran

AU - Speirs, David

AU - Phelps, Alan

AU - Whyte, Colin

AU - Ronald, Kevin

PY - 2026/6/12

Y1 - 2026/6/12

N2 - By adding a helically corrugation to a cylindrical it is possible to design dispersions with whatever properties are desired. Two such waveguides have been designed, one as the interaction for a gyrotron amplifier and the other for a passive pulse compressor. Modelling of the gyrotron amplifier shows 30dB of gain across the frequency range 9GHz to 9.6GHz. Modelling and low power tests of the pulse compressor show compression ratios of 20. As a potential electron source for the gyrotron amplifier carbon nanotube materials present an interesting development. A short pulse(~100ns), 80kV test rig has been built to test these materials.

AB - By adding a helically corrugation to a cylindrical it is possible to design dispersions with whatever properties are desired. Two such waveguides have been designed, one as the interaction for a gyrotron amplifier and the other for a passive pulse compressor. Modelling of the gyrotron amplifier shows 30dB of gain across the frequency range 9GHz to 9.6GHz. Modelling and low power tests of the pulse compressor show compression ratios of 20. As a potential electron source for the gyrotron amplifier carbon nanotube materials present an interesting development. A short pulse(~100ns), 80kV test rig has been built to test these materials.

U2 - 10.1117/12.3094956

DO - 10.1117/12.3094956

M3 - Conference contribution book

VL - 14022

T3 - Proceedings of SPIE

BT - SPIE Proceedings

A2 - Mcquage, Matthew

A2 - Clark, Amy

A2 - Wilson, Christopher R.

PB - SPIE

T2 - SPIE Defense + Security 2026

Y2 - 26 April 2026 through 30 April 2026

ER -

High-power high-frequency gyrotron amplifiers and investigation of CNT cathode emitters

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Funding

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Projects

High Powered Electro-Magnetic (HPEM) Amplifiers to generate smart waveforms for long range in-band Radio Frequency effects (FA9550-19-1-7011)

Cite this