An apparatus for generating Smith-Purcell radiation having at least one spectral component at a wavelength includes a periodic structure including a dielectric material and an electron source, in electromagnetic communication with the periodic structure, to emit an electron beam propagating within about 5 from a surface of the periodic structure to induce emission of the Smith-Purcell radiation. The electron beam has an electron energy tunable between about 0.5 keV and about 40 keV so as to change a wavelength of the Smith-Purcell radiation.

A multibeam-inductive-output-tube amplifier comprises an output cavity and a plurality of electron guns each intended to emit an electron beam through the output cavity, each electron gun comprising a cathode intended to emit the electron beam and a gate allowing the density of the electron beam to be modulated. The amplifier comprises, associated with each gun, a DC voltage supply, each of the supplies connected to the gate of the corresponding electron gun so as to bias the gate. The voltage of at least one of the supplies is adjustable so as to balance the density of the various electron beams.

A multibeam-inductive-output-tube amplifier comprises an output cavity and a plurality of electron guns each intended to emit an electron beam through the output cavity, each electron gun comprising a cathode intended to emit the electron beam and a gate allowing the density of the electron beam to be modulated. The amplifier comprises, associated with each gun, a DC voltage supply, each of the supplies connected to the gate of the corresponding electron gun so as to bias the gate. The voltage of at least one of the supplies is adjustable so as to balance the density of the various electron beams.

Vacuum electron devices (VEDs) are produced having a plurality of two-dimensional layers of various materials that are bonded together to form one or more VEDs simultaneously. The two-dimensional material layers are machined to include features needed for device operation so that when assembled and bonded into a three-dimensional structure, three-dimensional features are formed. The two-dimensional layers are bonded together using brazing, diffusion bonding, assisted diffusion bonding, solid state bonding, cold welding, ultrasonic welding, and the like. The manufacturing process enables incorporation of metallic, magnetic, and ceramic materials required for VED fabrication while maintaining required positional accuracy and multiple devices per batch capability. The VEDs so produced include a combination of magnetic and electrostatic lenses for electron beam control.

Vacuum electron devices (VEDs) are produced having a plurality of two-dimensional layers of various materials that are bonded together to form one or more VEDs simultaneously. The two-dimensional material layers are machined to include features needed for device operation so that when assembled and bonded into a three-dimensional structure, three-dimensional features are formed. The two-dimensional layers are bonded together using brazing, diffusion bonding, assisted diffusion bonding, solid state bonding, cold welding, ultrasonic welding, and the like. The manufacturing process enables incorporation of metallic, magnetic, and ceramic materials required for VED fabrication while maintaining required positional accuracy and multiple devices per batch capability. The VEDs so produced include a combination of magnetic and electrostatic lenses for electron beam control.

Disclosed are methods and devices suitable for producing an electron beam.

Embodiments include a vacuum device, comprising: an enclosure configured to enclose a vacuum, comprising an external base forming at least a portion of the enclosure; an internal base within the enclosure; and at least one thermal dissipative strap assembly, comprising: an internal base thermal conductive base in contact with the internal base, an external base thermal conductive base in contact with the external base, and a flexible thermal dissipative strap coupling the internal base thermal conductive base to the external base thermal conductive base.

Embodiments include a vacuum device, comprising: an enclosure configured to enclose a vacuum, comprising an external base forming at least a portion of the enclosure; an internal base within the enclosure; and at least one thermal dissipative strap assembly, comprising: an internal base thermal conductive base in contact with the internal base, an external base thermal conductive base in contact with the external base, and a flexible thermal dissipative strap coupling the internal base thermal conductive base to the external base thermal conductive base.

Embodiments include a vacuum device, comprising: an enclosure configured to enclose a vacuum, the enclosure including an external base including an opening; an internal base within the enclosure; and an adjustable support assembly adjustably coupling the internal base to the external base and extending through the opening, the adjustable support assembly comprising: a threaded shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and coupled to the internal base; a threaded hole component threadedly engaged with the threaded shaft and coupled to the external base such that the threaded hole component is axially constrained in a direction along the longitudinal axis relative to the external base independent of the threaded shaft; and a flexible component coupled to the external base and the threaded shaft and sealing the opening.

Embodiments include a vacuum device, comprising: an enclosure configured to enclose a vacuum, the enclosure including an external base including an opening; an internal base within the enclosure; and an adjustable support assembly adjustably coupling the internal base to the external base and extending through the opening, the adjustable support assembly comprising: a threaded shaft extending along a longitudinal axis and coupled to the internal base; a threaded hole component threadedly engaged with the threaded shaft and coupled to the external base such that the threaded hole component is axially constrained in a direction along the longitudinal axis relative to the external base independent of the threaded shaft; and a flexible component coupled to the external base and the threaded shaft and sealing the opening.