Apparatus and method for trajectory modulation of an electron beam

1. An electron beam amplification device, comprising:

an electron gun producing an electron beam;

a modulator having an input cavity arranged so that the electron beam passes therethrough, the input cavity receiving an RE input signal and providing a corresponding electromagnetic field region therein that alters trajectory of the electron beam in correspondence with the RF input signal;

an interceptor having at least one aperture oriented such that the electron beam is transmitted through the aperture when the electron beam trajectory is altered by the modulator to follow a particular transmission path and impacts upon the interceptor when the electron beam trajectory is altered by the modulator to follow a path other than the transmission path, wherein a voltage applied to the interceptor depresses it below an initial potential of the electron beam to allow recovery of beam energy;

an output circuit arranged so that the electron beam transmitted through the interceptor aperture passes therethrough, the passing electron beam forming a corresponding electromagnetic field region in the output circuit that produces an RE output signal, the output circuit transmitting the RE output signal therefrom; and

a collector arranged to receive the electron beam after passing through the output circuit, the electron beam terminating in the collector and permitting recovery of any remaining energy in the electron beam, wherein the collector comprises a multi-stage depressed collector.

2. The electron beam amplification device of claim 1 , wherein the electron gun produces a linear electron beam.

3. The electron beam amplification device of claim 1 , wherein the electron gun produces a hollow electron beam.

4. The electron beam amplification device of claim 1 , wherein the modulator provides a substantially transverse electromagnetic field region that alters the electron beam trajectory laterally with respect to a central beam axis.

5. The electron beam amplification device of claim 1 , wherein the modulator provides a substantially longitudinal electromagnetic field region that imparts velocity modulation of the electron beam.

6. The electron beam amplification device of claim 1 , wherein the modulator provides a substantially transverse electromagnetic field region that alters the electron beam trajectory to trace a closed path with respect to a central beam axis.

7. The electron beam amplification device of claim 6 , wherein the closed path comprises a circle.

8. The electron beam amplification device of claim 6 , wherein the closed path comprises an ellipse.

9. The electron beam amplification device of claim 1 , wherein the interceptor comprises a single aperture offset from a central beam axis.

10. The electron beam amplification device of claim 1 , wherein the interceptor comprises a single aperture aligned with a central beam axis.

11. The electron beam amplification device of claim 1 , wherein the interceptor comprises a plurality of apertures.

12. The electron beam amplification device of claim 1 , further comprising a post-accelerator located between the modulator and the output circuit, the post-accelerator increasing energy of the electron beam exiting the interceptor aperture.

13. A method for amplifying an RF signal, comprising:

generating an electron beam;

modulating the electron beam with an RF input signal to alter trajectory of the electron beam in correspondence with the RF input signal;

selectively intercepting the electron beam by transmitting the electron beam through an aperture in an interceptor when the electron beam trajectory follows a particular transmission path and collecting the modulated electron beam when the electron beam is altered by the modulator to follow a path other than the particular transmission path;

recovering enemy of the electron beam when it is selectively intercepted by depressing a potential of the interceptor by applying a voltage that is below an initial potential of the electron beam;

producing an RF output signal from the modulated electron beam passing through the aperture; and

collecting the energy of the electron beam remaining after producing the RF output signal in a multi-stage depressed collector.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the generating step further comprises generating a linear electron beam.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the generating step further comprises generating a hollow electron beam.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein the modulating step further comprises altering the electron beam trajectory laterally with respect to a central beam axis.

17. The method of claim 13 , wherein the modulating step further comprises imparting velocity modulation of the electron beam.

18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the modulating step further comprises altering the electron beam trajectory to trace a closed path with respect to a central beam axis.

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein the intercepting step comprises disposing a single aperture offset from a central beam axis.

20. The method of claim 13 , wherein the intercepting step comprises disposing a single aperture aligned with a central beam axis.

21. The method of claim 13 , wherein the intercepting step comprises disposing a plurality of apertures arranged in a circle.

22. The method of claim 13 , further comprising increasing energy of the electron beam exiting the aperture.