Patent ID: 7638946

Claim:
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.