Analysis of a dielectrically loaded traveling wave tube

A circular waveguide periodically loaded with dielectric disks forms a slow wave structure which can be used in a traveling wave tube. For solid disks, the field pattern in the guide can be determined exactly and the characteristics of the structure, when used as a traveling wave tube, can be predicted using Pierce's small signal theory. The gain, bandwidth, operating frequency, and required beam voltage have been calculated for a wide range of structure dimensions. The power capability of the disk-loaded guide is also discussed.