Electron-optical systems with planar field-emission cathode matrices for high-power microwave devices

Reasons for limits on application of field-emission structures in high-power microwave vacuum tubes are studied on the basis of the performed analysis and the methods for their overcoming are discussed. Prospects for application of planar end field-emission structures (PEFESs) as a long-lived current source in high-power vacuum microwave amplifiers are substantiated. The results of design of the proposed electronoptical system with cathode matrices consisting of PEFES cells, which forms electron flows with a power over 100 kW in the contiuous-wave operating conditions, are presented.