Thermal Analysis of a Ka-band Helix TWT with Semi-metallic Rod

This paper explores the thermal characteristics of a helix traveling wave tube (TWT) in the Ka-band (26.5-40 GHz) based on rectangular semi-metallic rods formed by welding boron nitride and copper. The results reveal that the maximum temperature of the helix during TWT operation for this supporting rod structure is 339.2°C. A comparison of the thermal characteristics about this structure with those of a conventional dielectric rod shows that the helix temperature of the former is about 40°C lower than that of the latter during operating conditions.