The gigatron is a new RF amplifier tube designed for linac collider applications. Three design features permit extension of the lasertron concept to very high frequencies. First, a ribbon-beam geometry mitigates space-charge depression and facilitates efficient output coupling. Second, a traveling-wave output coupler is used to obtain optimum coupling to the ribbon beam. Third, a gated field-emitter array is employed for the modulated cathode. A prototype device is currently being developed. 1988 IEEE
