THALES Electron Devices

Crossed field tubes

In crossed-field tubes, the DC electric field is perpendicular to the magnetic field - the general motion of the elecctron beam is perpendicular to both fields. Potential energy of electrons is transferred to the RF field.

Magnetrons and CFAs

Crossed-field tubes (CFT) offer a power/frequency ratio equivalent to conventional products, but at a lower voltage. High efficiency and easy installation makes them very advantageous for industrial applications.
These are two main types or crossed-fiel tubes.

	Magnetrons are oscillators used in high-power generators for professional microwave ovens. A good example is the magnetron, which delivers up to 6 kW CW output power at 2.45 GHz. Magnetrons are also used in radar applications.
	Crossed-field amplifiers (CFA) are used in military radar transmitters. The TH 4310 A, for example, is an S-band CFA with 660 kW peaki power and 10 kW average power, used in long-range 30 surveilllance radars.