Magnet array unit holder for accelerating assembly and improving alignment in a vacuum electronic device

Abstract

A magnet array unit holder configured to hold magnetic components and / or non-magnetic components for forming a magnet array unit, wherein the magnet array unit is configured to manipulate one or more electron beams within a vacuum electronic device when assembled, and the magnet array unit holder includes a set of slots configured to receive magnetic components and / or non-magnetic components, a set of pockets configured to receive magnetic components and / or non-magnetic components, and one or more mounting interfaces configured to couple the magnet array unit holder to the vacuum electronic device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to vacuum electronic devices, and more particularly, provide a magnet array holder that accelerates the assembly and improves the alignment in vacuum electronic devices, especially when operating at millimeter-wave frequencies and above.

Background Art

[0002] Vacuum electronic devices utilize the interaction between one or more electron beams generated within an interaction region and one or more electromagnetic waves. The structure of a vacuum electronic device requires incorporating metal materials, ceramic materials, magnetic materials, and / or other types of materials into a single assembly. The assembly encloses a vacuum chamber or cavity where the interaction between the electron beam(s) and the electromagnetic wave(s) takes place. Examples of vacuum electronic devices include, but are not limited to, particle accelerators, klystrons, gyrotrons, gyro-klystrons, traveling wave tubes (TWTs), gyro-TWTs, backward wave oscillators, magnetrons, crossed-field amplifiers, free electron lasers, ubi-trons, etc.

[0003] Propagation of an electron beam through the beam tunnel of a vacuum electronic device has conventionally been achieved using magnetic fields and / or electrostatic fields. In vacuum electronic devices operating at millimeter-wave and near-terahertz frequencies, magnetic fields are mainly used. Permanent magnets, electromagnets, and periodic magnet arrays are generally employed to confine the beam within the beam tunnel.

[0004] Difficulties arise when assembling and preparing vacuum electronic devices for operation. First, the beam tunnel, magnetic centerline, and beam input location are often not aligned together due to manufacturing and assembly irregularities. This difficulty is particularly pronounced in higher frequency devices. Second, the quality of magnetic materials is typically insufficient to ensure that the magnetic domains of individual magnets are aligned with the design layout with the required accuracy, resulting in non-uniformity in the magnetic field. Therefore, after manufacturing a vacuum electron beam device, technicians spend a significant amount of time (e.g., several months) adjusting (trimming) the magnetic field around the vacuum electronic device to achieve optimal beam transmission. Additionally, the magnetic materials commonly used in vacuum electronic devices have the highest grade of magnetization intensity and are thus extremely difficult to handle. The attractive and repulsive forces of magnetic materials can be strong enough to cause breakage or displacement of magnetic materials from their proper positions, making assembly not only inefficient but also dangerous for assembly workers.

[0005] Finally, magnets are generally fixed with some type of adhesive, which requires a long curing time and significant effort to accurately hold the magnets in place due to this long curing time. This delays the assembly process and introduces further inaccuracies. Additionally, the adhesive can cause inaccuracies in the placement of magnetic components due to variations in the thickness of the adhesive joints. Misalignment can be in the form of linear, angular, height, and numerous other types of defects. Magnet arrays assembled in the conventional manner deviate from the design in a significant proportion, and thus may result in a magnetic field profile far from the ideal. This problem worsens in devices operating at high frequencies or in devices requiring the size of small magnetic components (ranging from millimeter scale to sub-millimeter scale), because the tolerance of the joints generally remains the same, and thus significant non-uniformities accumulate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] The system and method assist in configuring a vacuum electronic device.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] Disclosed herein are a magnet array unit holder, a magnet array unit assembly, and corresponding methods. The magnet array unit enables improvement in electron beam confinement, focusing, and other types of operations in a vacuum electronic device. The magnet array unit holder enables acceleration of the assembly of the magnet array unit and is particularly suitable for the automated production of vacuum electronic devices. In some embodiments, the magnet array unit holder utilizes mechanical fixtures that support and / or control the accurate placement of each magnetic and non-magnetic component while minimizing the accumulation of tolerances. The magnet array unit holder also assists in controlling the shape and size of the magnetic and non-magnetic components themselves. The magnet array unit holder also supports the insertion of magnetic and non-magnetic components from one direction, simplifying the automation of the process. The magnet array unit holder is further suitable for the holding and assembly of periodic permanent magnet arrays, Halbach magnet arrays, wiggler arrays, quadrupole magnet arrays, bipolar magnet arrays, and combinations of multiple types of magnet arrays (e.g., periodic permanent magnet arrays and quadrupole or bipolar magnet arrays). The magnetic material of the magnetic component may include ferromagnetic materials, diamagnetic materials, and paramagnetic materials. By adopting a magnet array unit holder that fixes the array part of the permanent magnet and the electromagnet, the desired placement accuracy and magnetic circuit performance can be achieved. The non-magnetic component may be used to space the magnetic components at a desired distance that affects the magnetic circuit characteristics.

[0008] In some embodiments, the magnet array unit holder enables the assembly of high ferromagnetic components that may be subject to attractive or repulsive forces during assembly, thereby avoiding significant difficulties in manipulating the high ferromagnetic components and placing them in the appropriate locations. The magnet array unit holder significantly facilitates the manual assembly of the magnet array unit and also facilitates the automation of the assembly process by robotic operation (e.g., pick-and-place systems).

[0009] The magnet array unit retainer accurately positions magnetic components in place with respect to each other and with respect to other magnet array units that require alignment. The positions of the magnetic components can be accurately manufactured within the magnet retainer with consistent precision and by using state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques to directly transfer this precision to the magnetic component assembly on the vacuum electronic device. The magnet array unit retainer enables each magnetic component to be securely captured individually and enables the construction of the magnet array unit without the need to hold each magnet in place while the adhesive cures. In some embodiments, the magnet array unit retainer and the corresponding method of assembling the magnet array unit eliminate the reliance on achieving a uniform adhesive thickness regardless of whether the individual components are assembled or assembled between components.

[0010] The magnet array unit retainer is particularly beneficial for flat magnet structures employed in sheet electron beam devices or devices that employ wiggler magnets or undulator magnets. In other cases, the magnet array unit retainer can be adapted for application to round structures, hollow structures, spiral structures, dispersed structures, convergent structures, and magnet structures for multiple beams.

[0011] The present invention further provides an automated computer-implemented method for designing a magnet array unit retainer for accurately manipulating an electron beam in a vacuum electronic device, employing mechanical features for accurately positioning, fixing, and accelerating the assembly of magnetic components. The magnet array unit retainer can employ features for capturing magnetic and non-magnetic components, indicia features for aligning the polarities of the magnets, the height, height variation, various length features, additional features for combining multiple types of magnetic components, the depth designed to place the magnets, a single feature for positioning the locations of the individual magnetic components and the magnet array unit with respect to other external magnetic and non-magnetic features, fixtures for shielding additional magnetic components, features for combining the depth with the walls of other components, a design for predicting minimum and maximum magnet misalignment, misalignment calculations for modeling magnetic circuit performance, and methods for various permanent magnets and electromagnets.

[0012] The magnet array part holders and techniques disclosed herein are beneficial for achieving high-quality alignment, particularly for the manufacture of vacuum electronic devices at millimeter wave and near-THz frequencies. Vacuum electronic devices using the magnet array part holders designed herein can be configured to amplify electromagnetic signals at frequencies ranging from 1 GHz to 1000 GHz, as well as up to 3 THz and / or 30 THz.

[0013] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a magnet array part holder configured to hold magnetic and / or non-magnetic parts for forming a magnet array part, the magnet array part being configured to manipulate one or more electron beams within a vacuum electronic device when assembled, the magnet array part holder comprising a set of slots configured to receive magnetic and / or non-magnetic parts, a set of pockets configured to receive magnetic and / or non-magnetic parts, and one or more attachment interfaces (holes (plural), pins (plural), adhesives (plural), fasteners (plural), welds (plural), attachment materials, etc.) configured to couple the magnet array part holder to the vacuum electronic device. In some embodiments, the magnet array part holder 202 may be integrated as part of the vacuum electronic device 100.

[0014] Each slot of the set of slots may have a first shape, and each pocket of the set of pockets may have a second shape different from the first shape. Each pocket of the set of pockets may have a cross-linking portion across the pocket. Each pocket of the set of pockets may include a mark indicating the orientation of the magnetic component to assist in aligning the magnetic component. The mark may include a written key. Each pocket may have a size, shape, and position that control the size, shape, and position of the magnetic and non-magnetic components received therein. Each slot may have a size, shape, and position that control the size, shape, and position of the magnetic and non-magnetic components received therein. The magnet array portion holder may further include a set of additional portions configured to receive additional magnetic or non-magnetic components. Each portion of the set of additional portions may include a mark indicating the orientation of the magnetic component to assist in aligning the additional magnetic component. At least one slot of the set of slots may extend through the magnet array portion holder. The magnet array portion holder may hold both magnetic and non-magnetic components. The magnet array portion holder may hold only magnetic components. The magnet array portion holder may hold only a portion of the magnetic circuit necessary for the operation of the vacuum electronic device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method of assembling a magnet array portion configured to manipulate one or more electron beams within a vacuum electronic device, the method comprising providing a magnet array portion holder configured to hold magnetic and / or non-magnetic components, the magnet array portion holder comprising a set of slots configured to receive magnetic and / or non-magnetic components, a set of pockets configured to receive magnetic and / or non-magnetic components, and one or more fixed or attachment interfaces for connecting to the vacuum electronic device; placing at least a pair of magnetic or non-magnetic components within the set of slots adjacent to a particular pocket of the set of pockets; and placing a particular magnetic component within a particular pocket of the set of pockets, the pair of magnetic or non-magnetic components acting as a wall to support the insertion of the particular magnetic component.

[0016] Each pocket of the pocket set may have a cross - bridging portion across the pocket. Each set of slots may be configured to receive respective non - magnetic components. Each set of slots may be configured to receive magnetic components having upper and lower polar orientations. Placing a particular magnetic component within a particular pocket may include orienting the polarity of the magnetic component according to a mark. The magnet array holder may further include a set of further sites configured to receive further magnetic components and / or non - magnetic components, and the method may further include placing further magnetic components within the further sites. Placing further magnetic components and / or non - magnetic components may include orienting the polarity according to a mark.

[0017] The disclosure described herein provides an example of applying slot - forming techniques to an assembly of rectangular magnets. The same techniques using the slot depth and the heights of various components may be employed with assemblies of cylindrical - symmetric magnets and non - magnets.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Disclosed herein are a magnet array section holder, a magnet array section assembly, and corresponding methods. The magnet array section enables improvement of electron beam confinement, focusing, and other types of operations in a vacuum electronic device. The magnet array section holder enables acceleration of the assembly of the magnet array section and is particularly suitable for the automated production of vacuum electronic devices. In some embodiments, the magnet array section holder utilizes mechanical fixtures to support and / or control the accurate placement of each magnetic and non-magnetic component while minimizing the accumulation of tolerances. The magnet array section holder also assists in controlling the shape and size of the magnetic and non-magnetic components themselves. The magnet array section holder also supports the insertion of magnetic and non-magnetic components from one direction and simplifies the automation of the process. The magnet array section holder is further suitable for the holding and assembly of a periodic permanent magnet array, a Halbach magnet array, a wiggler array, a quadrupole magnet array, a dipole magnet array, and combinations of multiple types of magnet arrays (e.g., a periodic permanent magnet array and a quadrupole magnet array or a dipole magnet array). The magnetic material of the magnetic component may include ferromagnetic materials, diamagnetic materials, and paramagnetic materials. By employing the magnet array section holder, an array section of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet can be fixed to achieve the desired placement accuracy and magnetic circuit performance. The non-magnetic component can be used to space the magnetic components at a desired distance that affects the magnetic circuit performance.

[0020] In some embodiments, the magnet array section holder enables the assembly of high ferromagnetic components that may be subject to attractive or repulsive forces during assembly, thereby avoiding significant difficulties in manipulating the high ferromagnetic components and placing them in appropriate positions. The magnet array section holder significantly facilitates the manual assembly of the magnet array section and also facilitates the automation of the assembly process by robotic operation (e.g., a pick-and-place system).

[0021] The magnet array part holder accurately positions magnetic components in place with respect to each other and with respect to other magnet array parts that require alignment. The magnet array part holder enables each magnetic component to be individually and securely captured and allows the magnet array part to be constructed without the need to hold each magnet in place while the adhesive cures. In some embodiments, the magnet array part holder and the corresponding method of assembling the magnet array part eliminate the reliance on achieving a uniform adhesive thickness, regardless of whether the individual components are assembled or the components are assembled between each other.

[0022] The magnet array part holder is particularly beneficial for flat magnet structures employed in sheet electron beam devices or devices employing wiggler magnets or undulator magnets. In other cases, the magnet array part holder may be adapted for application to round structures, hollow structures, spiral structures, dispersed structures, convergent structures, and magnet structures for multiple beams.

[0023] The present invention further provides an automated computer-implemented method for designing a magnet array part holder for accurately manipulating an electron beam in a vacuum electron device, employing mechanical features for accurately positioning, fixing, and accelerating the assembly of magnetic components. The magnet array part holder may employ sites for capturing magnetic and non-magnetic components, imprint features for aligning the polarities of the magnets, heights of sites for holding and positioning magnetic and non-magnetic components, height variations, sites of varying lengths, additional sites for combining multiple types of magnetic components, depths designed to place the magnets, single features for positioning the locations of the individual magnetic components and the magnet array part with respect to other external magnetic and non-magnetic features, fixtures for shielding additional magnetic components, sites for combining the depth with the walls of other components, designs for predicting minimum and maximum magnet misalignments, calculations of misalignments for modeling magnetic circuit performance, and methods for various permanent magnets and electromagnets.

[0024] The magnet array portion holders and techniques disclosed herein are beneficial for achieving high-quality alignment and are particularly beneficial for the manufacture of vacuum electronic devices at millimeter wave and near-THz frequencies. Vacuum electronic devices using the magnet array portion holders designed herein can be configured to amplify electromagnetic signals at frequencies ranging from 1 GHz to 1000 GHz.

[0025] FIG. 1 shows the components of an exemplary vacuum electronic device 100, such as an exemplary traveling wave tube (TWT) 100, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary traveling wave tube (TWT) 100 has a magnet array portion 110 (magnet array assembly) affixed to the exemplary traveling wave tube (TWT) 100. Although FIG. 1 is shown with respect to a TWT, the magnet array portion 110 herein can be used in any vacuum electronic device 100 that uses a magnet assembly to manipulate one or more electron beams within an interaction region.

[0026] The TWT 100 includes a TWT gun 102 configured to generate one or more electron beams (transmitted in the z-direction). The TWT gun 102 can be employed for sheet beams, hollow beams, pencil beams, dispersed beams, multiple beams, etc. The TWT 100 further includes an interaction circuit that includes an RF input window 104, an RF output window 106, and two magnet array portions 110 configured to direct and shape one or more electron beams through the interaction circuit. The two magnet array portions 110 include an upper magnet array portion 110 shown at the top of the TWT 100 and a bottom magnet array portion shown as a mirror image at the bottom of the TWT 100. The bottom magnet array portion 110 is not clearly shown in FIG. 1, but the iron shielding portions of both the upper and bottom magnet array portions 110 are shown. The TWT 100 further includes a TWT collector 108 configured to collect one or more electron beams transmitted through the TWT 100.

[0027] FIG. 2a shows a top perspective view of an exemplary magnet array section 110 according to some first embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array section 110 includes a magnet array section holder 202, a magnetic component 204 disposed within a portion within the magnet array section holder 202, a non-magnetic component 206 disposed within a portion within the magnet array section holder 202, and an iron shielding section 208 disposed on the front edge of the magnet array section holder (the side adjacent to the TWT gun 102 of the TWT 100).

[0028] The magnet array section holder 202 can be made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, titanium or a titanium alloy, copper or a copper alloy, stainless steel, etc. A magnetic material can be employed to generate all or part of the magnet array section holder 202 that achieves the desired magnetic circuit characteristics and thus the magnetic field.

[0029] These portions provide exemplary mechanical features for accurately fixing the magnetic and non-magnetic components in place. Exemplary portions (specifically shown in at least FIGS. 2d and 2e) can be slots, pockets, notches, or other types of receiving features (e.g., having guide rails). In some embodiments, the magnetic component 204 can be disposed within a pocket and the non-magnetic component 206 can be disposed within a slot. Alternatively, both can be within a pocket, or within a slot, or the magnetic component 204 can be disposed within a pocket and / or a slot, and / or the non-magnetic component 206 can be disposed within a pocket and / or a slot. Any combination is possible.

[0030] Each portion (pocket, slot, or notch) controls the position, size, and orientation of the magnetic component 204 and / or the non-magnetic component 206. The position and size include length, depth, width, vertical position (y-axis), lateral position (x-axis), longitudinal position (z-axis), etc. The portions can be mounted symmetrically or asymmetrically to achieve the desired result. The position and size of each portion, and the corresponding magnetic component 204 and non-magnetic component 206 placed within each portion, can be shaped to achieve the desired magnetic interaction circuit performance.

[0031] The magnetic component 204 and the non-magnetic component 206 can be fixed to their respective positions without the need for direct adhesive application. In some embodiments, when an adhesive is added, the adhesive does not affect the placement of the magnetic component 204 and / or the non-magnetic component 206. In some embodiments, each position can be configured to receive two or more magnetic components 204, two or more non-magnetic components 206, and / or a combination of magnetic component 204 and non-magnetic component 206.

[0032] It should be understood that the height of the magnetic component 204 and / or the non-magnetic component 206 can be varied to provide a desired gap between the individual magnetic component 204 and the non-magnetic component 206. The automated assembly process can utilize the extra height to grip the magnetic component 204 and the non-magnetic component 206 and insert them into their respective positions. The height variations can be employed to insert the magnetic component 204 and / or the non-magnetic component 206 in a desired order. The height of the magnetic component 204 and / or the non-magnetic component 206 can also be shaped to achieve the desired magnetic interaction circuit performance.

[0033] The depth of the magnetic component 204 and the non-magnetic component 206 can be used, similar to the length, height, and width, to provide an additional level of separation and alignment between the various types of magnetic component 204 and / or non-magnetic component 206 in the assembly. The walls of the position can be configured to act as additional constraints for the magnetic component 204 while and after the magnetic component 204 is inserted into the position. The depth can provide placement accuracy.

[0034] As shown, the exposed side of the exemplary magnet array section 110 includes an alternating order of magnetic component 204 and non-magnetic component 206 over the length section of the magnet array section holder 202, but other orders are possible based on the desired magnetic interaction circuit performance. As shown, the magnetic component 204 is arranged such that the upper surface of the magnetic component 204 terminates vertically in a single plane higher than the non-magnetic component 206, and the non-magnetic component 206 also terminates in a single plane.

[0035] The magnet array unit holder 202 can be configured for vacuum electronic devices operating at various frequencies, but the magnet array unit holder 202 particularly benefits devices operating between 25 GHz and 1 THz. The magnet array unit holder 202 is particularly suitable for electronic devices in the size range from micrometers to millimeters, and thus supports the manufacturing and alignment necessary for the propagation of an electron beam through the interaction circuit. The magnet array unit 110 can be configured to amplify electromagnetic signals having frequencies ranging from 1 GHz to 25 GHz, from 25 GHz to 100 GHz, from 100 GHz to 250 GHz, from 250 GHz to 500 GHz, or from 500 GHz to 1000 GHz. Other frequency ranges are also possible.

[0036] The magnet array unit holder 202 is shown as including slots 214 throughout the magnet array unit holder 202, but in some embodiments, the magnet array unit holder 202 may include a rigid floor, for example, on the bottom side of the magnet array unit holder 202 so that the non-magnetic component 206 cannot extend beyond the floor.

[0037] The disclosure described herein provides an example of applying a slot-forming technique to an assembly of rectangular magnets. The same technique of using the depth of the slots and the heights of various components can be employed for an assembly of cylindrical symmetric magnets and non-magnets.

[0038] FIG. 2b shows a bottom perspective view of an exemplary magnet array unit 110 according to some first embodiments of the present invention. Additional magnetic components 210 can be included to combine multiple types of magnetic circuits. The additional magnetic components 210 can be quadrupole and / or dipole magnetic components 210 configured to add additional magnetic control to one or more electron beams. The additional magnetic components 210 can be disposed within pocket-type sites (shown in more detail in FIG. 2e). As shown, the additional magnetic components 210 can be disposed as an array of two additional components 210 under each magnetic component 204 of a series of magnetic components 204. As shown below, the additional magnetic components 210 can be disposed at any other location, such as above, adjacent, etc.

[0039] In some embodiments, the magnetic component 204 and the non-magnetic component 206 are configured to control one or more electron beams in the y direction. In some embodiments, a further magnetic component 210 is configured to control one or more electron beams in the x direction.

[0040] FIG. 2c shows a top view and a bottom view of the magnet array holder 202 according to some first embodiments of the present invention.

[0041] In some embodiments, as shown, the upper side of the magnet array holder 202 includes a slot 214 for receiving the non-magnetic component 206 and a pocket 216 for receiving the magnetic component 204. In some embodiments, as shown, the bottom side of the magnet array holder 202 includes a pocket 218 for receiving a further (quadrupole) magnetic component 210. The slot 214, the pocket 216, and the pocket 218 may generally be referred to as site 228.

[0042] The mark 212 can be added to the pocket 216 of the magnet array holder 202 and placed therein to identify the polarity of the magnet of the magnetic component 204 placed therein, so that during the assembly process, the assembler can align the mark 212 to ensure the appropriate magnetic orientation. The mark 212 can be added to either or both of the magnetic component 204 and the magnet array holder 202. It will be appreciated that the mark 212 can include a written mark 212 or a physical mark 212 (i.e., a key) to ensure the appropriate orientation of the magnetic component 204 during assembly.

[0043] In some embodiments, as shown, the mark 212 on the upper (exposed) side of the magnet array holder 202 shows an alternating pattern in which north-facing and south-facing magnetic components 204 are arranged within the pocket 216. In some embodiments, as shown, the mark 212 on the bottom side of the magnet array holder 202 (the side facing the TWT 100) shows an array in which a further (quadrupole) magnetic component 204 facing south, north, or the opposite direction is arranged within the pocket 218.

[0044] In some embodiments, the respective sizes and shapes of the slots 214 may be the same, the respective sizes and shapes of the pockets 216 may be the same, and the respective sizes and shapes of the pockets 218 may be the same. In some embodiments, the respective sizes and shapes of the slots 214, pockets 216, and pockets 218 may be the same or different from each other. In some embodiments, there may be variations in the respective sizes and shapes of the slots 214, the respective sizes and shapes of the pockets 216, and the respective sizes and shapes of the pockets 218. Any combination is possible.

[0045] The fixture can also help to align additional external magnetic components outside the magnet array portion 110, such as magnetic shields. Additional external pockets or notches and alignment features can be added to dispose and fix the magnetic components in a predetermined position. The external magnetic components can be part of a complete or partial magnetic circuit.

[0046] FIG. 2d shows a top perspective view of a magnet array portion holder 202 according to some first embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array portion holder 202 includes an alternating sequence of slots 214 for receiving non-magnetic components 206 and pockets 216 for receiving magnetic components 204. The magnet array portion holder 202 further includes one or more (in this case, three) mounting interfaces 220 (e.g., rectangular protrusions having screw holes (plural) as shown in the figure, or further or alternatively, pins (plural), adhesives (plural), fasteners (plural), welds (plural), mounting materials, etc.) for fixing the magnet array portion holder 202 to the vacuum electronic device 100. In some embodiments, the magnet array portion holder 202 can be integrated as part of the vacuum electronic device 100.

[0047] FIG. 2e shows a bottom perspective view of a magnet array portion holder 202 according to some first embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array portion holder 202 includes an array portion of pockets 216 for receiving additional magnetic components 210 (e.g., quadrupole magnetic components).

[0048] FIG. 2f shows a top view and a bottom view of the magnet array portion 110 according to some first embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the magnet array portion 110 includes holes 224 for aligning the magnet array portion 110.

[0049] FIG. 2g shows a side view of the magnet array portion 110 according to some first embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the magnet array portion 110 includes a magnet array portion holder 202, and the magnet array portion holder 202 has an iron shielding portion 208 attached to the front edge portion and, in this embodiment, subsequent magnetic components 204 and non-magnetic components 206 in an alternating order. Other patterns of the magnetic components 204 and the non-magnetic components 206 are also possible to achieve the desired interaction.

[0050] FIG. 2h shows a cross-sectional side view of the magnet array portion 110 according to some first embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array portion 110 in FIG. 2h helps to show the depth, height position, and height of the magnetic components 204 and the non-magnetic components 206. In some embodiments, as shown, the magnetic components 204 are placed on top of a series of bridging portions 226 disposed at the bottom of the magnet array portion holder 202, and the non-magnetic components 206 extend between the bridging portions 226, past the bridging portions 226, and completely (or in some embodiments past the bottom surface) to the bottom surface of the magnet array portion holder 202. In some embodiments, the magnet array portion holder 202 includes a series of bridging portions under the non-magnetic components 206 and does not include a series of bridging portions under the magnetic components 204. In some embodiments, the magnet array portion holder 202 may include a series of bridging portions under a combination of (e.g., some or all of) the magnetic components 204 and the non-magnetic components 206. In some embodiments, the magnet array portion holder 202 may include a series of ceiling portions instead of or in addition to the bridging portions, particularly when the magnetic components 204 and / or the non-magnetic components 206 are assembled from below rather than from above. Similarly, in some embodiments, the magnet array portion holder 202 may include walls instead of or in addition to the bridging portions or the ceiling portions, particularly when the magnetic components 204 and / or the non-magnetic components 206 are assembled from the side rather than from above or below. Other directions are possible. Combinations of various directions are also possible.

[0051] Figs. 3a to 3d show an exemplary assembling process of the magnet array portion 110 using the exemplary magnet array portion holder 202. Fig. 3a shows a top perspective view of the magnet array portion holder 202 according to some first embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the iron shielding portion 208 is attached to the front edge portion of the magnet array portion holder 202. Fig. 3b shows a top perspective view of the magnet array portion holder 202 according to some first embodiments of the present invention, where one magnetic component 204 is arranged adjacent to the iron shielding portion 208, and the magnetic component 204 can act as a fixture for inserting the following components. Fig. 3c shows a top perspective view of the magnet array portion holder 202 according to some first embodiments of the present invention, where one magnetic component 204 and one non-magnetic component 206 arranged adjacent to the magnetic component 204 can act as a fixture for inserting the following components. Fig. 3d shows a top perspective view of the magnet array portion holder 202 according to some first embodiments of the present invention, where all the magnetic components 204 and all the magnetic components 206 are arranged therein to form the magnet array portion 110.

[0052] In some embodiments, the pattern of assembling the magnet array portion 110 is initiated by inserting non-magnetic components 206 or at least pairs of magnetic components 206 into the respective slots 214. Since the non-magnetic components 206 do not interfere with each other, the non-magnetic components 206 can be inserted with little or no effort. Next, the magnetic components 204 can be inserted into the pockets 216 between the pairs of non-magnetic components 206. The pairs of non-magnetic components 206 can support the attractive and repulsive forces during insertion to establish a fixture / wall for the magnetic components 204, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the (possibly brittle) magnetic components 204 and the risk of advancing the magnetic components 204. It will be appreciated that the pattern can be similar to the assembling of the magnet array portion 400 including an alternating order of magnetic components polarized vertically and magnetic components polarized horizontally. The pattern can start by arranging magnetic components polarized vertically or horizontally in the slots, and then adding magnetic components polarized horizontally or vertically between each pair of vertically polarized components.

[0053] The assembly time is accelerated by about 10 times compared to conventional assembly. Alignment is predictable and can be accurately calculated. This enables a detailed study of the influence of the tolerance of the individual magnetic components 204 and the magnet array unit holder 202 itself. This is because this study is related to the magnet circuit design and the performance of the magnetic field generated to manipulate the electron beam.

[0054] FIG. 4a shows a top perspective view of an exemplary magnet array unit 400 according to some second embodiments of the present invention. Similar to the magnet array unit 110, the magnet array unit 400 includes a magnet array unit holder 402, an iron shielding part 408, magnetic components 404 in the pockets, and non-magnetic components 406 in the slots. The magnet array unit 400 is similar to the magnet array unit 110 except that the shapes of the magnet array unit holder 402, the magnetic components 404, the non-magnetic components 406, and the iron shielding part 408 are different.

[0055] FIG. 4b shows a bottom perspective view of an exemplary magnet array unit 400 according to some second embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array unit holder 402 does not include additional pockets on the bottom side for additional magnetic components (for example, quadrupole magnetic components).

[0056] FIG. 4c shows a bottom perspective view of an exemplary magnet array unit 410 according to some third embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array unit 410 may include the same upper side as the magnet array unit 400. However, the magnet array unit 410 may include a magnet array unit holder 412 having a different bottom side, and the bottom side includes additional pockets configured to receive additional (quadrupole) magnetic components 414 to be accommodated therein.

[0057] Figure 4d shows a top view and a bottom view of the magnet array holder 402 according to some second embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, as shown, the upper side of the magnet array holder 402 includes a slot 418 for receiving non-magnetic components 406 and a pocket 420 for receiving magnetic components 404. The slot 418 and the pocket 420 can generally be referred to as part 428. The mark 416 can be added to the pocket 420 of the magnet array holder 402 to identify the polarity of the magnets of the magnetic components 404 placed therein, so that during the assembly process, the assembler can align the mark 416 to ensure the proper orientation of the magnets. The mark 416 can be added to either or both of the magnetic component 404 and the magnet array holder 402. It will be understood that the mark 416 can include a written mark 416 or a physical mark 416 (i.e., a key) to ensure the proper orientation of the magnetic component 404.

[0058] In some embodiments, as shown, the mark 212 on the upper (exposed) side of the magnet array holder 202 indicates an alternating pattern in which the north-facing and south-facing magnetic components 204 are arranged within the pocket 216.

[0059] Figure 4e shows a top perspective view of the magnet array holder 402 according to some second embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array holder 402 includes an alternating sequence of a slot 418 for receiving non-magnetic components 406 and a pocket 420 for receiving magnetic components 404. The magnet array holder 402 further shows a bridging portion at the bottom of the pocket 420.

[0060] Figure 4f shows a bottom perspective view of the magnet array holder 402 according to some second embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array holder 402 does not include an array of pockets for receiving additional magnetic components (e.g., quadrupole magnetic components). The magnet array holder 402 shows the opening of the slot for receiving non-magnetic components 406.

[0061] Figure 4g shows a bottom view of the magnet array portion holder 412 according to some third embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, as shown, the bottom side of the exemplary magnet array portion holder 412 includes a pocket 424 for receiving an additional (quadrupole) magnetic component 414.

[0062] The mark 422 can be added to the pocket 424 of the magnet array portion holder 402 so as to identify the polarity of the magnets of the magnetic component 414 placed therein, so that during the assembly process, the assembler can align the marks 414 and ensure the proper orientation of the magnets. The mark 414 can be added to either or both of the magnetic component 414 and the magnet array portion holder 412. It will be appreciated that the mark 422 can include a written mark 422 or a physical mark 422 (i.e., a key) so as to ensure the proper orientation of the magnetic component 414. In some embodiments, as shown, the mark 422 on the bottom side (the side disposed with respect to the TWT100) of the magnet array portion holder 412 indicates a pattern in which an additional (quadrupole) magnetic component 414 with a southward or northward orientation, or the opposite orientation, is disposed within the pocket 424.

[0063] Figure 4h shows a top perspective view of the magnet array portion holder 412 according to some third embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array portion holder 412 includes an alternating sequence of slots 418 for receiving non-magnetic components 406 and pockets 420 for receiving magnetic components 404.

[0064] Figure 4i shows a bottom perspective view of the magnet array portion holder 412 according to some third embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array portion holder 412 includes an array portion of pockets 424 for receiving additional magnetic components 414 (e.g., quadrupole magnetic components).

[0065] Figure 4j shows a top view and a bottom view of the magnet array portion 400 according to some second embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the magnet array portion 400 includes holes 420 for aligning the magnet array portion 110.

[0066] Figure 4k shows a side view of the magnet array section 400 / 410 according to some second embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the magnet array section 400 / 410 includes a magnet array section holder 402 / 412, and the magnet array section holder 402 / 412 has an iron shielding section 408 attached to the front edge, and in this embodiment, alternating magnetic components 404 and non-magnetic components 406 following it. Other patterns of the magnetic components 404 and non-magnetic components 406 are also possible to achieve the desired interaction.

[0067] Figure 4l shows a cross-sectional side view of the magnet array section 400 / 410 according to some second embodiments of the present invention. The magnet array section 400 / 410 in Figure 4l helps to show the depth, height position, and height of the magnetic components 404 and non-magnetic components 406. In some embodiments, as shown, the magnetic components 404 are placed on top of a series of bridging portions 434 disposed at the bottom of the magnet array section holder 402, and the non-magnetic components 406 extend completely between the bridging portions 434, past the bridging portions 434, and to the bottom surface of the magnet array section holder 402 (or in some embodiments, past the bottom surface of the magnet array section holder 202).

[0068] Figure 4m shows a bottom view of the magnet array section 410 according to some third embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the magnet array section 410 includes holes 432 for aligning the magnet array section 410.

[0069] Figures 5a through 5d illustrate an exemplary assembling process of the magnet array unit 400 using the exemplary magnet array unit holder 402. Figure 5a shows a top perspective view of the magnet array unit holder 402 according to some first embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the iron shielding portion 408 is attached to the front edge portion of the magnet array unit holder 402. Figure 5b shows a top perspective view of the magnet array unit holder 402 having one magnetic component 404 according to some first embodiments of the present invention, and the magnetic component 404 is disposed adjacent to the iron shielding portion 408 and can serve as a fixture for inserting the next component. Figure 5c shows a top perspective view of the magnet array unit holder 402 according to some first embodiments of the present invention, and one magnetic component 404 and one non-magnetic component 406 disposed adjacent to the magnetic component 404 can serve as a fixture for inserting the next component. Figure 5d shows a top perspective view of the magnet array unit holder 402 having all the magnetic components 404 and all the non-magnetic components 406 according to some first embodiments of the present invention, and the magnetic components 404 and the non-magnetic components 406 are disposed therein so as to form the magnet array unit 400.

[0070] Similar to FIGS. 3a - 3d, in some embodiments, the pattern of assembling the magnet array portion 400 is initiated by inserting non - magnetic components 406 or at least pairs of non - magnetic components 406 into respective slots 418. Since the non - magnetic components 406 do not interfere with each other, the non - magnetic components 406 can be inserted with little or no effort. Next, the magnetic components 404 can be inserted into the pockets 420 between pairs of non - magnetic components 406. The pairs of non - magnetic components 406 can assist the attractive and repulsive forces during insertion to establish a fixture / wall for the magnetic component 404, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the (possibly brittle) magnetic component 404 and the risk of advancing the magnetic component 404. It will be appreciated that the pattern can be similar to the assembly of the magnet array portion 400 including magnetic components polarized up and down in an alternating order and magnetic components polarized left and right. The pattern can start by placing magnetic components polarized up and down or at least pairs of magnetic components polarized up and down in the slots, and then adding magnetic components polarized left and right or up and down between each of the pairs of components polarized up and down or left and right.

[0071] FIGS. 6a - 6b show an exemplary assembling process of a magnet array portion 410 using an exemplary magnet array portion holder 412. FIG. 6a shows a bottom perspective view of the magnet array portion holder 412 with one magnetic component 414 disposed therein according to some third embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 6b shows a bottom perspective view of the magnet array portion holder 412 with all magnetic components 414 disposed therein according to some third embodiments of the present invention.

[0072] Figures 7a through 7d show an exemplary upper magnet array portion 700 and a bottom magnet array portion 702 that establish confinement and manipulation of one or more electron beams. The placement of the individual magnetic components 404 with respect to the upper magnet array portion 700 and the lower magnet array portion 702 can be critical to the performance of the vacuum electron device 100. FIG. 7a shows a side view of the upper magnet array portion 700 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Magnet arrays 110, 400, and 410 are each examples of the upper magnet array portion 700. FIG. 7b shows a side view of the bottom magnet array portion 702 according to some embodiments of the present invention. Magnet arrays 110, 400, and 410 are each examples of the bottom magnet array portion 702. FIG. 7c shows a cross-sectional side view of the upper magnet array portion 700 according to some embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7d shows a cross-sectional side view of the bottom magnet array portion 702 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0073] In some embodiments, the magnet array retainer 202 / 402 / 412 can support only magnetic components. In some embodiments, a non-magnetic partition can be constructed within the magnet array retainer 202 / 402 / 412 instead of some or all of the non-magnetic components. In some embodiments, the magnet array retainer 202 / 402 / 412 can be designed to include only a portion of the interaction circuit, allowing other magnets to be placed elsewhere, such as on top of one or more second magnet array retainers, on the vacuum electron device itself, etc. In some embodiments, the magnet array retainer 202 / 402 / 412 can include a magnet portion instead of a portion of the magnetic components. In some embodiments, the various sites 202 / 402 / 412 can be designed to accept an alternating set of magnetic components 204 / 404 of opposite poles and non-magnetic components 206 / 406. Other combinations are possible.

[0074] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is merely exemplary and other variations and modifications of the above-described embodiments and methods are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. The invention is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A magnet array part holder configured to hold magnetic parts and / or non-magnetic parts to form a magnet array part, wherein the magnet array part is configured to manipulate one or more electron beams in a vacuum electronic device when assembled, and the magnet array part holder comprises: a set of slots configured to receive the magnetic parts and / or the non-magnetic parts; a set of pockets configured to receive the magnetic parts and / or the non-magnetic parts; one or more mounting interfaces configured to connect the magnet array part holder to a vacuum electronic device and is a magnet array part holder.

2. The magnet array part holder according to claim 1, wherein each slot of the set of slots has a first shape, and each pocket of the set of pockets has a second shape different from the first shape.

3. The magnet array part holder according to claim 1, wherein each pocket of the set of pockets has a cross-bridging part that crosses the pocket.

4. The magnet array part holder according to claim 1, wherein each pocket of the set of pockets includes a mark indicating the orientation of the magnetic part to assist in aligning the magnetic part.

5. The magnet array part holder according to claim 4, wherein the mark is a written key.

6. The magnet array part holder according to claim 1, wherein each of the pockets has a size, shape, and position that control the size, shape, and position of the magnetic parts and non-magnetic parts received therein.

7. The magnet array part holder according to claim 1, wherein each of the slots has a size, shape, and position that control the size, shape, and position of the magnetic parts and non-magnetic parts received therein.

8. The magnet array part holder according to claim 1, further comprising a set of additional parts configured to receive additional magnetic parts or non-magnetic parts.

9. The magnet array part holder according to claim 8, wherein each part of the set of additional parts includes a mark indicating the orientation of the magnetic part to assist in aligning the additional magnetic part.

10. The magnet array part holder according to claim 1, wherein at least one slot of the set of slots extends through the magnet array part holder.

11. The magnet array part holder according to claim 1, which holds both the magnetic parts and the non-magnetic parts.

12. The magnet array part holder is the magnet array part holder according to claim 1, which holds only the magnetic component.

13. The magnet array part holder is the magnet array part holder according to claim 1, which holds only a part of the interaction circuit of the vacuum electronic device.

14. A method of assembling a magnet array part configured to manipulate one or more electron beams in a vacuum electronic device, the method comprising: preparing a magnet array part holder configured to hold magnetic components and / or non-magnetic components, the magnet array part holder including a set of slots configured to receive the magnetic components and / or the non-magnetic components, a set of pockets configured to receive the magnetic components and / or the non-magnetic components, and one or more mounting interfaces configured to couple to the vacuum electronic device; placing at least a pair of the magnetic components or the non-magnetic components within the set of slots adjacent to a particular pocket of the set of pockets; placing a particular magnetic component within the particular pocket of the set of pockets wherein the pair of magnetic components or non-magnetic components acts as a wall to support insertion of the particular magnetic component.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein each pocket of the set of pockets has a cross-bridge portion that traverses the pocket.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein each slot of the set of slots is configured to receive a respective non-magnetic component.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein each slot of the set of slots is configured to receive a magnetic component having an up and down polarity orientation.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein placing the particular magnetic component within the particular pocket includes orienting the polarity of the magnetic component according to a mark.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the magnet array part holder further includes a set of additional sites configured to receive additional magnetic components and / or non-magnetic components, and further includes placing additional magnetic components within the additional sites.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein placing the additional magnetic components and / or non-magnetic components includes orienting the polarity according to a mark.

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