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VACUUM ›› 2026, Vol. 63 ›› Issue (2): 35-39.doi: 10.13385/j.cnki.vacuum.2026.02.05

• Vacuum Technology Application • Previous Articles     Next Articles

High-reliability Cathode Heater Assemblies for Space Microwave Tube

LIU Yanwen1, SHANG Xinwen1, LI Xinuxin2, TIAN Hong1, ZHAO Hengbang1, WANG xiaoxia1   

  1. 1. Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China;
    2. Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100189, China
  • Received:2025-07-09 Online:2026-03-25 Published:2026-03-27

Abstract: Accelerated life tests were conducted on the reliability of the M-type cathode assembly for applications in space microwave tube. The experiment results showed that the reliability of the thermocouple strongly depends on the polarity of the electrode. When the filament is connected to a negative voltage of the power supply and the cathode is connected to a positive voltage, the life of the heater assembly is much longer than that of the reverse connection one. Further experiments show that the main cause of heaterl short circuit is due to the diffusion of impregnated emission material into the insulation layer of the heater assembly. To this end, a partition is added between the cathode substrate and the heater assembly to prevent short circuits in the thermoelectric components and extend the lifespan of the cathode. In order to improve the thermal efficiency and impact resistance of the cathode, molybdenum ruthenium alloy solder is used to weld the cathode cake and the support cylinder together.

Key words: space microwave tube, heater assembly, insulation layer, life

CLC Number:  TN105

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