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Abstract

A method for constructing thermally and dimensionally stable traveling wave tube circuits having high dimensional stability, narrow tolerances, and very small size by providing a small hollow preform constructed of a desired material which is coated with a layer of photoresist material then exposed to a UV laser to form a desired pattern mask in the photoresist layer. The pattern masked preform is then etched to create a preform having a desired shape. After shaping, the photoresist coating is stripped from said shaped preform to form a traveling wave tube circuit. Optionally the travel wave tube circuit may be polished. Additionally, the present invention contemplates an apparatus for forming small three dimensional circuit structures from preforms comprising a chuck for supporting the preform on its axis, a motor for rotating the preform, a UV laser for directing a beam onto the preform, a means for shifting the laser along said preform, and a controller for controlling the motors rate of rotation, the rate of movement along the length of the preform caused by shifting means, and whether the laser is on or off to achieve a predetermined pattern mask on the preform. Additionally, the present invention contemplates novel three dimensional structures including a very small helical traveling wave tube circuit, a ringed bar circuit structure, a finned ladder circuit structure, and a slotted finned ladder circuit structure as well as traveling wave tubes incorporating these structures.

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First Claim