Multipactor Suppression via 3D-Printed Conductors

Preventing multipactor is essential for ensuring vacuum electronic systems operate reliably. Textured materials have previously been shown to significantly reduce secondary electron emission. However, these surface treatments are difficult to achieve inside of coaxial structures. Additive manufacturing can be used to produce textured components that can suppress multipactor. The multipactor breakdown threshold in such coaxial transmission lines was experimentally measured using two different 3D-printing technologies on two outer conductors. The partially 3D-printed transmission line was found to dramatically reduce multipactor (up to 2.9 dB increase in threshold power), and our experimental results consistently outperformed our simulations. This work demonstrates proof-of-concept for using 3D-printed materials for preventing multipactor.