The Theory of DiskLoaded Wave Guides

E. L. Chu and W. W. Hansen

Citation: Journal of Applied Physics 18, 996 (1947); doi: 10.1063/1.1697586

View online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1697586
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 inside diameter of the cup and the diameter and
length of the bob. Machining tolerances should
be within 0.002 cm (0.001 in.). For most meas-
urements two cups and bobs, making available
three clearances, will be found enough; we have
found cups 1 and 2 and bobs 1 and 4 most useful.
Because of the nature of the study we were
making, the end-effects were determined without
any reference to standard viscosity samples
except for final confirmation. For this purpose
the method of multiple bobs is recommended.
For most applications and industrial uses, how-
ever, a simple calibration with standard samples
is more convenient and entirely satisfactory. It
is enough to determine P, the ratio of load to
r.p.m., as described above, and substitute for it
and the known value of 1] in the equation
1]=K v ·P in order to determine the constant K •.
This constant combines the end-effect with all
the various instrument constants, dimensions of
cup and bob, etc.
Within the range from 1 to 150 poises (and
probably considerably higher) calibration with
a single standar{sample will be found sufficiently
accurate for most purposes. Below 1 poise, how-
ever, since the end-effect has been shown to
become increasingly large, calibration should be
made with a standard the viscosity of which is
close to that of the material to be measured. If
this is not possible, the multiple-bob method
should be used.
A separation of at least 1 cm should be kept
between the bottom of the bob and cup, and an
overlay of about 5 mm of liquid above the top
of the bob is desirable. In addition to constancy
in end-effect, one advantage of the bob immersed
well below the liquid level when measuring
solutions or suspensions is that evaporation of
all except the most volatile solvents introduces
small or negligible effects during the course of
measurement.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are indebted to Mrs. Dorothy P.
Stubbs and Mr. Samuel E. Miller who made
many of the experimental measurements.

The Theory of Disk-Loaded Wave Guides

E. L. CHU* AND W. W. HANSEN
Department of Physics, Stanford University, Stanford ,University, California
(Received July 11, 1947)

The properties of circular wave guides loaded with apertured disks are discussed both
qualitatively and quantitatively. Formulae and curves are given for various quantities in-
cluding the wave and group velocities, the attenuation, and the power flow.

INTRODUCTION low frequency one already present, .so that the

I NFig.thela,normal circular wave guide shown in
the running waves of field propagate
with a phase velocity greater than that of light.
By the introduction of apertured disks, as shown
in Fig. lb, which also defines some of our nota-
tion, this velocity can be reduced as much as
desired. In addition to altering the phase veloc-
ity, the loading disks change the group velocity
and, two parameters being available, the two
velocities can be controlled independently.
Finally, the periodic spacing of the disks intro-
duces a high frequency cut-off, in addition to the
* On leave from the Institute of Physics, Academia
Sinica, Shanghai, China.
loaded structure has many of the characteristics
of a band pass filter. We propose to report here
certain calculations on the properties of such
structures, which we call disk-loaded wave
guides.
While the main formulae we use are of general
interest, some special formulae and many of the
numerical examples are developed to fit the
special circumstances of an important possible
use of disk-loaded guides-namely, that of
accelerafing electrons. Indeed, interest in this
problem has been the primary motive for devel-
oping the theory that follows.
Before describing the details of the calcula~

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 tions, it will be useful to consider several qualita-
tive descriptions of the operation of such a
structure.
One point of view regards the disk-loaded
guide as derived from an infinite sequence of
end-to-end cylindrical cavity resonators by open-
ing up "coupling holes" between adjacent cavi-
ties. Then if we consider the behavior at various
frequencies, as is done in Fig. 2, we start at
zero frequency with Fig. 2a showing the electric-
field lines terminating on the disks and decreasing
rapidly in strength as we go from left to right.
Here we are below the low frequency cut-off, the
device acts as an attenuator, and curvature of
electric-field functions toward the axis, when
going in the r direction, is canceled by curvature
away from the axis in the z direction to give the
zero total curvature required at zero frequency.
As we increase the frequency, the curvature
away from the z axis decreases until at the
resonant frequency of the uncoupled resonators
without holes (X = 2.61b) the fields are in phase
everywhere in the guide, there is no attenuation,
and the field curvature is all in the r direction,
as shown in Fig. 2b. This field configuration may
be regarded as obtained by removing disks. of
radius a from the inter-resonator boundaries of
a sequence of resonators all oscillating in phase,
such removal not altering the fields since the
currents on opposite sides of any removed disk
are equal and opposite. As we further increase
the frequency, so running the cavities off reso-
nance, it becomes necessary to supply reactive
power to each cavity. This comes through the
coupling hole from the adjacent cavity which
must then be of somewhat different phase. The
resultant field pattern is sketched in Fig. 2c and
it must now be remembered that this represents
a running wave. As the frequency is further
increased, the phase shift per section increases
until it becomes 180 0 at which point the fields
are as shown in Fig. 2d. As the frequency is
further increased, more phase shift is impossible,
attenuation again sets in and the fields are as in
Fig. 2e. Thus we see that the two cut-off fre-
quencies correspond to the two modes of cavity
oscillation shown in Figs. 2f and 2g.
A second point of view regards the disk-loaded
guide as derived from an ordinary guide by the
introduction of loading disks which may at first
VOLUME 18, NOVEMBER, 1947
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be taken as having small radial extent. From
this point of view the fields of Fig. 2a are obvious
and Fig. 2b is nearly so; we merely have to
remark that, at cut-off, the disks do not influence
the electric field since they are at right angles
thereto. As we enter the pass region, the disks
do not suppress the propagation so long as the
disks are closer together than half a loaded-
guide wave-length, for in such a case the reflec-
tions from succeeding disks cannot add up but
must, over a long distance, cancel. This cease:;
to be so when the guide wave-length decrease:;
to the point that the disks are a half-wave apart,
for then the reflections add and transmission is
impossible. We then enter the attenuation region
as in Fig. 2d.
The third point of view, and the one most
closely connected with the mathematics here
used to reduce qualitative ideas to quantitative,
starts with the fields, and more particularly the
fields near the axis, as given, and seeks a struc-
ture that fits the fields, as opposed to the above,
and usual, procedure of starting with a structure
and finding the fields.
Thus we start by requiring a field which, for
r <a, is finite, axially symmetric, and represents
a wave running in the z direction with (real)
wave number k 3• These conditions completely
specify the wave functions-the only possible
solution of Maxwell's equations is
Ez = EoJo(klr)e-ika.,
Er =Eoj(k3/kl)J1 (klr)e- ikaz , (1)
B", = Eoj(k/kl)Jl(klr)e-ik,z,
with all other components zero. Here Eo is a
constant, we use Gaussian units and a positive
time factor, and
k 12 +k a2 = k 2 = 4r1"7\2.
It would appear that since ka, which regulates
the wave velocity, is unrestricted we can make
waves which go with any velocity whatever.
But we note that, the velocity being given by
vi c = klka. a velocity less than that of light
implies a ka which is greater than k, and so an
imaginary value of k 1 • While the above are still
solutions, their characteristics change when kl
becomes imaginary, and we must investigate
their properties for both real and imaginary k 1•
997
 fig I a.
FIG. 1. The sketch of Fig. ia shows the configuration
of electric-field lines in an unloaded circular wave guide,
while Fig. ib shows the fields in a guide loaded by means
of apertured disks, and also defines the notation used in
describing the guide dimensions. The special case shown
has the loads one-quarter wave apart-any other spacing
is, of course, possible.
For real kl the Bessel function is oscillatory so
that Ez passes through zero for an infinite
number of values of r. A qualitative field plot
for this case is given in Fig. 3a. When kl is
positive imaginary, however, J o and J 1 are
monotonic increasing functions of r, so that the
E lines cannot reverse directions with the result
that the field is qualitatively as shown in Fig. 3b.
Now, having specified the fields, we ask what
metallic boundaries we can introduce to confine
them to a finite region in space. In the case of
fields like those of Fig. 3a one answer is well
known: we can introduce a conducting tube in
the position indicated by the dotted lines, in
which case the electric field is everywhere perpen-
dicularto the conductor and the currents carried
by the conductor support the discontinuity in
magnetic field. But this is impossible for the
fields of Fig. 3b, for they never become perpen-
dicular to the axis.
, But another, and more general, possibility fig 2C_ _,--,----,-----,----._ fig 2f:
line. The correct boundary conditions are then
EI B = 00. Moreover, it is easy to see that by
choosing a fin depth between zero and X/2, it is
possible to obtain any desired value of E/ B.
Thus, by using such a finned boundary we can
contain any field and in particular the one
assumed above. Thus we are led to the disk-
loaded guide, and conclude that waves in such
a structure can be made to run with any velocity
desired.
In carrying out an analysis along the above
lines it is plain that the results wiH approach
exactness as the fins get closer and the phase
shift per fin approaches zero. On the other hand,
as the fin spacing is increased no qualitative
changes occur until the phase change per fin
becomes 11", at which point the approach breaks
down completely. This corresponds, of course,
to the high frequency cut-off.
We can now conclude our introductory re-
marks by specifying the quantities given and to
be computed and the approximations to be made.
The six quantities a, b, d, 7/d, the skin depth
o characterizing the guide material, and X, may
be regarded as given, and may obviously be
reduced to five by measuring lengths in terms of
X. These five we take as ka, kb, kd, 7/, and XI o.
Usually XI 0 is large, in which case it may be
! I I
t t

becomes apparent if we consider a special type 1-1-1-1-1

-.:::: ~~
I 1-1-:
1=-=1
:-!-\
I~~I

1-""-1
of boundary. If we use a conducting sheet, the 1t=H=I 1i=;=iI I :,-n I
correct boundary conditions are E tan =0, BtaD~O, I
I I

or E/ B = O. But if we now add to the sheet a FIG. 2. Sketches a-e show the qualitative behavior of
number of closely spaced conducting fins, each the E lines in a loaded guide as the frequency is raised
X/4 long and perpendicular to the main sheet, from zero to above the high frequency cut-off. Illustrations
f and g show how a cavity can be constructed from a
we have a boundary which will sustain an electric section of the guide by the addition of conducting planes,
field without a magnetic field since each pair'of shown as dotted lines. The two indicated modes of oscilla-
tion of this cavity correspond to the low and high frequency
adjacent fins acts as a quarter-w'ave resonant edges of the pass band for the loaded guide.

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 1.2
disregarded in wave-length calculations and will
appear only in loss calculations. Moreover, we I
~I.o
J
will often assume that kd is negligibly small, in
~
",- I I
which case there remain three quantities ka, kb, -:& .& ~a(2'E
and "1. Further, "1 may sometimes be negligible I ..
also. ~'
In principle there are only two quantities to .i .4~
Jkl~V;/
~

compute, the wave number in the z direction, -- .

_~+(I+i-l{a2) 2
--- I _--d::-
/

which we call ka and which would be called the C\>(k,a)' II (-Jk,a)

I (jk,alIljk,a)
I
propagation constant in filter theory, and a
'.0 '.0 40 3.0 2.0 LO 0 '.0 2.0
characteristic impedance Z;, to be defined more
precisely later. As to ka, a slightly more con-
j I - - Pjk.o,-
I I I I .2
-k,a-

venient quantity is ka/k = 1/,8, where the wave
velocity is (3c. We also note that ka is complex
so that we must compute both real and imaginary
parts, the latter being a measure of the attenua-
tion.
Although ka and Zi contain all the information,
it is useful to compute also certain related
quantities. These will be defined as the occasion
arises but we may mention that the group
velocity and the axial field for a given power are
important, and that it is useful to compute not
only the attenuation but the Q.
As to the approximations involved, they de-
FIG. 4. This'shows-", as a'Junction of k1a, real values of
the argument being on the right-hand side, and imaginary
values on the left. Various approximate formulae are
shown in dotted lines.
pend on the calculational approach used. As
indicated in the qualitative discussion, at least
three procedures are possible. First, we can treat
the structure as a series of resonators perturbed
by the coupling through the center holes. For
such a calculation we must have a«b, a«d.
Second, we may consider the loading to be nearly
continuous, in which case we must have d«a,
d«b-a. Third, we may consider a cylindrical

fig.3a 0 0 wave guide, perturbed by the addition of loading

disks. For this calculation we take b-a«d,
b-a«b. For the computation of ka we have used
all three methods. For the attenuation, imped-

---8--e----
ance, and other quantities which are less critical
we have usually used approximations based on
the second approach. Thus it happens that the
_.------------- numerical majority of our results depend on

---e-~----
this second approach, which will now be ex-
plained in detail.

CALCULATIONS

1. Phase and Group Velocity

fig. 3b ~ VdJ In (1) we have already given the fields to be

used for r <a. For a <r <b we take
Ez = CEoZo(kr)e- ik3 (z) ,
------------

~~
(2)

FIG. 3. Sketch a shows qualitatively the shape of E with C a constant and Zo a Bessel function that
lines given by Eq. (1) for real values of kI, while b shows
them for imaginary k1 • In the former case a cylindrical is zero at r=b,
conducting boundary can be introduced at the radius
indicated by the dashed lines. Zo=Jo(kr)NoCkb) -No(kr)JoCkb), (3)

VOLUME 18, NOVEMBER, 1947 999

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 and
Zl = Jl(kr) No(kb) - Nl(kr)Jo(kb).
Here (z) is equall to zero when -d12 <z<dI2,
to d for dI2<z<3d/2, etc., with the loading
disks at z=d/2, 3dI2···. Otherwise said, (z) is
equal to the value of z midway between the two
nearest loading disks. Also, the fields are to be
zero in the space occupied by the disks.
Plainly these are solutions of Maxwell's equa-
tions, and they satisfy the boundary conditions
(4)
on the cylinder r = b and on the plane surfaces
of the disks. To join this function to that for
r<a, we (a) make the values of B", match at
r=a, and (b) make (l-TJ)E z from (2) at r=a
equal Ez from (1). To do this we must adjust
the constant C and also find a kl such that the
equation

1 Jl(kla) 1 J1(ka)No(kb) -N1 (ka)Jo(kb) 1

cf>(kla) = - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - = - - a ( k a , kb) (5)
kla JO(kla) (l-TJ)ka Jo(ka)No(kb) - No(ka)Jo(kb) 1-TJ

is satisfied. accumulates on the edges of the loading disks

This makes B", continuous at r=a, z=(z),
and the average value of Ez likewise, and this is
the best that can be done with these approximate
functions. Besides the fact that Ez and B", are
not continuous at r=a, for general values of z,
we note Er is finite for r<a and zero for a<r.
This is also correct on the average, for charge
because of the difference in current from section
to section.
The above is easy to understand, and is
certainly right in the limit kad-tO. If kad is finite,
the correct procedure would be to take E. at
r=a to be of the form coskszf[z-(z)], wherefis
some suitable function of the distance from the

6.0r--.-.-----.--.--.,--r---r--.-,-----.-....,-,.--r---r-"?Il1-- ''O
contours of constant 0<
in the ka, kb plane

4.81f---t--+--t--+--+-+-----1'---t--+--+--+-~~W:,<---"il1-. L2>

.2.0 FIG. 5. Shows contours of con-

d2.8f--r-+--f---+-+--+-~~~~~~~~~~~~~G-~ stant a in the ka, kb plane.
-"

6.0

1 This notation is similar in spirit, though not in detail, to the standard notation (x) for "the integral part of x."

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 -- ----
-II
·--_.- __ c _ _ _ 2.0 -------- . . n •• _ . _

I I
t I. ,
C:X(ka. kb)

~= 2
~ I.e
j
B' '.'
I
/¥~!k,a)-

d 12

FIG. 6. The functions", and

~
:'!..
'.0
t- --+
--I
ex are plotted against kla and
ka for b/a=2. I .. 1\ :Ii
:\
__ V, V
I
I
I

--
.6
I

.. , 1\ I I
•
~
- \
I

~ f..--
I
I

.. I
I

,I
I
I

4.0 3.6 3.2 2.8 2.4 /?O 1.6 1.2 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.8
I

1.2
i\!
1.6 2.0 2.4 z.e

center of the cell in which z lies. 2 This function
would then be expanded as a Fourier integral
for r<a and as a Fourier series for a<r. where-
upon if the assumed form of Ez is correct. the
computed values of B.p will match everywhere
on r=a. To carry such a calculation out in detail
would be possible but not simple. In certain
cases, however. some progress can be made. In
particular, if d«a and d«b-a, a good guess
for f will be [1- (4Z2/d 2 ) ]-i. If we take this form
for f without verification we need match only at
one point, say at the center of a cell, and if we
furthermore carry only one Fourier term in the
magnetic-field series for both r<a and a<r, we
get a crude but tractable result, namely. that
one merely multiplies the left-hand side of (S) by
J o(k ad/2) to get
J o(k ad/2) . cp(k. a) = a(ka, kb )/1-7].
This correction, while reaching a maximum
value of J o(7r/2) =0.S71 at k 3d=7r, rises slowly
and for small values of k 3d is often negligible.
In much of what follows, it will be omitted in
the interests of simplicity.
To solve this equation, we need values of cp
and a. In Fig. 4 we give a plot of cp for both
real and imaginary values of kia, together with
2 A justification of this statement would be simply a
paraphrase of Floquet's theorem on the solutions of Hill's
equation. See, for example, Whittaker and Watson,
Modern Analysis (Cambridge University Press, New York,
1945), p. 412.
various useful and easily derived approximate
formulae. And in Fig. 5 we give a contour map
of IX in the ka, kb plane.
In obtaining this map, and for various future
purposes, the following easily derived approxi-
mate expressions are useful
1X:::(1/k2a2)(1/ln~), ~=b/a, ka«l, kb«l,
a""(1/k 2a2) [1/ln(2/yka)], 'Y = 1.781,
ka«l, Jo(kb) ~ 0,
(7)
kb""2.405 + 1.545(1/2 -a)k2a 2,
ka«l. kb""2.405.
a= (l/ka) cot(kb-ka). l«ka, l«kb.
For given b and a, and therefore fixed b/a=~,
a is now a function of k or of kat which can be
determined from Fig. S. A typical curve of a vs.
ka, for kb / ka = 2 is plotted in Fig. 6. On this
(6) same graph. we have plotted cp as a function
of k i a.
To solve (5) for given k and 7] =0, we enter the
chart at ka and follow the vertical dotted line to
an intersection with the a-curve, proceed hori-
zontally to find an equal value of cp, and then
drop down to the axis to find the value of kia.
Finally, we compute (k3/k) = (1- (kia/ka)2)~ and
so are able to construct a graph of k3/k vs. ka
or kb.
It is instructive to follow the results qualita-
tively as ka increases from zero. For ka small,
a and so cp are large and we easily find (ka/k)
""j(2.40S/ka)(1- (ka/2.40)2)!, i.e., the guide acts

VOLUME 18, NOVEMBER, 1947 1001

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 1\.=0 at the intersection'-o(the two curves, where a
and ¢ are usuaIly about 0.5. Moreover, at this
5.0,.------"r----r--\---r---.---__ low frequency cut-off, which occurs at kb = 2.405,
kl is a linear function of k and so ka/k has the
rh k
= 4.810/1_'(
kb
kb )'
4.180 / approximate form (ka/k)~(2(kb-2.405)/2.405)!
\\ I I . (-dkr/dk)!, and so the curve has a vertical
4.0'f-----H>----\f------'HI-----1
tangent at cut-off. As we further increase ka,
k1a decreases and the next interesting point is at
r '\,
" kJ _ 5.70 /"!
t/I k1a = 0, where k1a changes from rea.! to imaginary,
\ k - kbI3.60- kb)
~3.0 and ka/k passes through unity. Nothing striking
happens to ka/k, it being easily verified that its
derivative is given by
dk a k kt da/ dka 1
-=--- ,kla~O, (8)
dk ka ka d¢/dk1a 1-,.,
and
dk a 1 8 da
(9)
dk = 1- 1-,., ka dka' k1a""O.

These formulae are of some importance, for

they give the reciprocal of the group velocity,
FIG. 7. Shows ka/k as a function of kb for b/a=2, ,,=0, and this quantity is often of direct interest,
kd~O. Also shown are a number of approximate formulae. especially in the special case ki = 0, ka = k where
the wave velocity is c.
as an attenuator, and with the attenuation As ka increases further, a and so ¢ approach
characteristic of a tube of radius a. The wave zero, kl becomes large and imaginary, and ka
number ka first.becomes real when k1a=ka, i.e., large and real. An approximate formula, valid in

2.0
1£ = 2.0 1£ • 1.50 J2.
11 =t •2~

I I I
1.8 - 1'\.- 0 / /
5 / /
1.4 I / //
1.2
I / /
'/

0
I II /V FIG. 8. Shows k3/k as a func-
tion of kb for a variety of ratios

0.8

0.&
r/I
V
I /V /
./
V
I--- - ~
::::: 1.0 b/a.

V
0.4 f!1
'I
0.2

o
1.5 2.0 2.4 2.8 3 2 3.5 4.0 4.4 4.8 5.2 5.6 6.0
1
--kb-

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 •. Ol---...,.----,---~----,---------~
~ I, ~ 24~
IT-!
I '. l

'.0 I-------II~---'I· i 1

I I /
FIG. 9. The value of ka that makes
k,=k is plotted against kb. The full
4.01-----+-----

kb-k
- 0+co
I
,-I -ko(I-~1
l
2 ~/
V I

curve is based on the assumption

that d«a, d«b-a, as are two of ., •. 0t-----t-----+----t-----r.''l-l+-----t----i
the dotted curves which give ap-
proximations to the solid curve.
Also shown dotted is a result valid
in the limit a«d, a«b.
.>< :,t,/
/k
,/ /b=2.405-.773(~ka-
·· T.T)k4 4 k4 4

'.0

"~// /}:::::--
~/ , ... : ,,,' I
I " //' I

1.0 f - - - - - - - -----[--r' / ,/ -----t----~- ---

;' ~ Q'(I- COS 1<'d i
, kb=2.405(1-.787 b'd(I-~) 1)
,'/ I I

1,/
1.0 '.0 ...I I
4.0
:
'.0 ...
kb -

this region, is kb = ka+cot- 1 (ka/2) (1-1),

(k3/k) = O.S71«1-71)/ka(ka -k+a) )dka/da,
with k+a the value of ka which makes a = O.
As remarked before, the present theory is not
good in this region, for when kad = '1(', the wave
functions are not well approximated by single
Fourier terms. Nevertheless, a good guess at the
high frequency cut-off may be had by assuming
it to occur at kad = '1('.
To illustrate the above quantitatively we have
prepared Fig. 7 which shows ka/k as a' function
of kb for kbjka= 2,1) =0, together with a number
of approximate formulae. In Fig. 8, ka/k is
plotted as a function of kb for several values of
kb / ka, Both these figures assume that ksd is small.
Guides operated at k and loading values such
as to give k3jk = 1, i.e., phase velocity equal to
1«ka, kd«l/ka. (11)
We may note that as ka approaches zero it
must inevitably become smaller than kd, in
which case our analysis breaks down. Neverthe-
less, if d«b there is a region in which (10) is
useful.
We may now develop the theory for the case
a«d. Here we proceed by considering the loaded
tube as derived from a sequence of uncoupled
cavities perturbed by the introduction of coup-
ling holes . The problem is solved by variational
methods, the behavior of the trial function near
the coupling hole being approximated by finding
a solution of the appropriate static problem.
The result is
3

that of light, have been of special interest to us, kb:::Z.40Sl1+0.787 a (l-COSkad)], (12)
b2d(1-1)
and in Fig. 9 we plot for various values of kb the
value of ka that gives ka/k = 1. Two approxima- T}d4:.a4:.d, a4:.X,
tions are also shown, namely, ami this result is also plotted in Fig. 9.
kb = 2.405 +0. 772[l'jk 2a2 -l'j(k4a4 j4) + (k4a 4 j8) ], On the other end of the possible range of
ka«l, kd«l, (10) values of a we may have b-a«d, and in this

VOLUME 18, NOVEMBER, 1947 1003

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 .8
I
k,' k, 1\ = 240
.6
/ /
,-", "b<:
.2 '- l§J.~. sin kd /
,
I
//' I
/"-' .!...:..!1.. k4 a4
/--/ 12.5
o 1.0
case it is obviously best to take as the unper-
turbed problem an unloaded guide and introduce
the loading disks as perturbations. There are
then two cases, (b-a)«TJd and TJd«b-a«d.
In the first case we may take as a perturbed
field simply the unperturbed fields with the
volume occupied by the loading rings removed.
The results are most easily expressed by giving
k in terms of the various dimensions and ka, thus
k = k 3 [1 + (2.405/kab)2]!
X [1 +5. 77(17k[b-aJ/[kb J2) J,
(b-a)«17d.
In the other case, when TJd <b-a<d, the
loading disk may be considered as thin, and we
use as a perturbed field the unperturbed one
minus a potential function such that the bound-
ary conditions on E are satisfied over the ring
while E is undisturbed at large distances from
the ring. This function is found by a solution of
Laplace's equation, under the simplifying as-
sumption that the cylindrical problem may be
unrolled into a plane one, i.e., b - a«b. From
this electric field a corresponding magnetic field
is derived and the change in frequency computed
in terms of the surface integral of E 1 XB 2 , with
El the original field and B2 an addition due to
the perturbation. The result is, then
k = k a[l + (2.405/k ab)2]t
X [1-71/2(k a/k)2([b -aJ2/bd)]' (14)
1004
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V
~~
~~
~~
;#'~"
(I +
".')' v
8 -I
////
'),
--
,:;/
FIG. 10. The quantity dkjdk a,
/// which is the group velocity divided
by c, is shown as a function of ka.
The solid line is computed from a
theory valid when d«a, d«b-a, as
are two approximate results shown
dotted. Also shown is the result of
a theory valid when a«d, a«b.
'L
2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0
ka
The group velocity for guides loaded to give
a. phase velocity of c has also been of interest,
and in Fig. 10 we plot dk/dk a against ka for
kb=2.66 together with various approximate
formulae. One of these approximate formulae,
good for a«d, is obtained simply by differenti-
ating (12), the other two are derived on a basis
best explained in a following section.
2. Impedance, Power Flow, and Energy Storage
As is usual in distributed constant problems,
(13) any number of definitions of characteristic im-
pedance are possible: the one that is useful for
connecting guides of different impedances is
defined as equal to the ratio of the transverse
voltage to the wall current. If we evaluate this
in the midplane of a loading disk using the fields
of (1) and (2) we find the impedance in e.m.u.
to be
ka 2(1-Jo(k 1a»
Zi=C------ (15)
k klaJl(kla)
For many purposes it is more useful to know
the power flow, and this can be expressed either
in terms of Eo, the peak axial field, or in terms
of the integral of E" designated above as the
transverse voltage. The power flow is easily
evaluated from the Poynting vector, the result
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
 being
P = (1/2S67["2)k3ksa4[8/ (k 1a)2]
X [J12(k 1a) - J O(k 1a)J 2(k 1a) ](EOX)2 / c.
A plot of 8/(k 1a)2 times the bracketed Bessel
functions is given in Fig. 11.
A special case of interest is that for which
ka=k, k 1 =O, in which case we find
EoX=(4/7r)(Pc)1(X/a)2, k3=k.
If one wishes to use radial voltage, the con-
version can be accomplished by using the formula
connecting the peak value of Er and Eo,
3. Energy Storage
The mean energy stored per unit length is of
interest, not only in itself, but also in connection
with Q calculations to follow and for use in an
alternative method of finding the group velocity.
This latter use derives from the relation
(Energy stored/cm) (group velocity) =P, (19)
(16)
and owes its usefulness to the facts that P is
easy to compute and that it is often not hard
to approximate the energy storage, whereas ap-
proximations to dk/ dk s have not been obvious.
We may note that when the group velocity is
(17) computed from (19) it comes out in terms of
integrals of squares of Bessel functions, whereas
when computed from dk/dk 3 it depends on
derivatives of Bessel functions and it is, at first
sight, hard to see in detail why the results are
the same. We will not go into this matter, but
remark that it is similar to the well-known
theorem whereby the derivative of an impedance,
with respect to frequency, can be found from the
energy stored in the impedance.
We will not write ?own the exact formulae for
energy storage, since the result is easy to obtain
analytically and most tedious to use numerically.
Two approximations are useful, however. In

i I

8
I
:
i

j
I

I
I
I
I I
1 I ---j

~
I
I I
,

[-- 8

l------+--------jc-----+------'=--"Ol--=----+-----+------+------I

j .
1----+-----+----1-----0,5,!I-- - - - l - - --~------_+-

•.Lo-------JS'o~-----~.~,O------~LO~-----OOL------~"O------~.~,O-------7~O~----~.~
- -jk,o k,o-

FIG. 11. Plot of a function useful in computing power flow in loaded wave guides.

VOLUME 18, NOVEMBER, 1947 1005

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 0 power flow we get one of the approximations for
~IO3,.--j -- -------
~-1- -(- + I
dk/dk s used in Fig. 10.
N ext, consider the special case ks = k and let
'1.,,240 n~4 kb~oo, so that kb::ka+(2/(1-1])ka). Then we
k, '.
, have Bq,=E okr/2 for r<a, and we can take
103 Bq,"'(E o/l-1])(l/(kb-ka)) = constant for a<r
<b. This approximation is obviously good for
t 5.10
2

large ka and is surprisingly close for small ka,

.<1uJ
~t~ 10' \ I
--'---.- f - - -
being only 1.55 times too small for ka=O .
Using these fields, we find

I 5.10 1\ Eo2(k a
4 4
1 kb+ka)
Mean energy /cm::- --+-- --- ,

10
\ ~
I !
8k 2 8 1-1] kb-ka
ks=k, l«ka, (21)

5 ""l ~-l--+--~
I~
and this may be further simplified by using (11)
to relate kb and ka. Doing so, we get the re-
maining approximate formula of Fig. 10.

20 3.0
I
~
40
-----.L
50 6.0 7.0
4. Losses
-k"_ If a power P crosses some plane transverse to
FIG. 12. The imaginary part of the propagation constant the guide, the power at some distance down the
multiplied by Alk3li is plotted against ka. The radius b i~ guide will be smaller because of losses, i.e.,
such as to give k3=k, there are 4 loading disks per wave-
length, and the fields of Eqs. (1) and (2) are used. dP /dz is finite. Before computing the losses, we
must first consider how the results are to be
the first place, if ka~O we can approximate B</> expressed. At least three forms are useful. First,
quite well as [2.405E o/ (l-1])kb JJ 1 [2.405(r /b) ] we may compute the voltage attenuation l(k s)
in which case the energy storage, as computed = (1/2P)(dP/dz); second, we can find Q=27rv
by doubling the magnetic energy, comes out as (energy stored/cm)/(dP/dz); and third, we can
cO!llpute (dP/dz)/(E oA.)2.
Mean energy /cm"'0.195E o2/ (1-1])k 2 , The first two may be related by way of (19),
ka«l, (20) thus
and combining this with the expression for Q= (1/2) [k/ l(k s) J(dk~/dk). (22)

,30
I I I
.25 k, 'k '1.',240 n' 4
1
V
V
r .20
V
V
1"
0-

I
,15

.10
-I--'
--- l.--"'
FIG. 13. The quantity QafA is
plotted against ka under the same
assumptions as in Fig. 12 .

,05

o 0.5 LO L5 2.0 2.5 3,0 3.5 4,0 4,5 5.0

-k,,_
1006 JOURNAL OF APPLmD PHYSICS

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 1.0
The actual calculation is simple enough in
principle, the losses being evaluated as B2 0/8 per r- kJ ' , ~'240 n=4
cm2 per cycle, with 0 = (p/211"w)! the skin depth. 0,5 f - - -

The detailed results will not be written down

/
since the formulae, while easy to obtain, are too i
complex to allow one to determine their behavior I /
by inspection.
I

/
V ,
i
The results of a typical calculation are given
in Figs. 12, 13, and 14, which give l(ka)/ka(X/o), V
Q(o/X), and, (X2/ o)(dP/dz)/(E oX)2 as functions
of ka, when kb is such that k3 = k and there are o. I /
/
IL -r----
four loading disks per wave-length.
While the general formulae are quite complex, /
.05 r--- c---- / --
some approximations will now be given which
are usefully simple. All of these are for the --~- ~---
lL--- f----- f------- - - - - - - - r-~---

special case ka = k.
First, let ka«l. Then we find, by using the
same field as that used for (20),
- --_.-

V
i f-- --- I---~-

-1----
1----

V ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 00 W
-ka--.

FIG. 14. The power loss per cm per volt/cm squared,

ka«:l, ka=k, (23) divided by 0, as measured in mho, is plotted against ka.
the conditions being as described for Fig. 12.
Q= (X/o)[1-1)/n+2.61(1-1))]. (24)
with n = 211"/kd, the number of loading disks per
[1/ (E OX)2J(dP Idz) = 0.0308(o/X 2c) wave-length.
N ext, let 1«ka and use the approximation of
x[1/(1-1))2J[n+2.61(1-1))J, (25) (21), when we find

2
l(k a) 0 811" [ k b n kb+ka n 1)k ad ]
(26)
k-:"'-X k 4a 4 (1-1)) (kb - ka)2 + 211"(1-1))2 kb - ka + 211" (l-1))2(kb -ka)2 '
4 4 2
X [k a 1 kb+ka]/[' 21!"kb n kb+ka n1)k ad ]
(27)
Q"'8 -8-+1-1)kb--=ka (1-1))(kb-ka)2+(1-1))2kb-ka+(1-1))2(kb-ka)2'

1 dP 0 1[ kb n kb+ka n
2
1)k ad ]
(28)
(EoX) a;= 2
2 x c"8 0-1))(kb-ka)2+ 211"(1-1))2'kb-ka + 211" (1-1))2(kb-ka)2 .

When ka is sufficiently large, these may be A qualitative understanding of the above

simplified by using the approximate relation formulae is useful and simple. For ka = k we have
(11), with results Er=B¢ = Eokr/2 for r<a, and we will not do too
badly by continuing B¢ in a linear manner to
l(ka)/ka"'(Xlb) (o/X), (29) r = b. Thus the power flow will be proportional to
k 4a\ the energy stored to k 4b4 and the energy loss
Q"'(b/2X) (X/o). (30) on the walls will vary like k 3 b3 , all, for constant
axial field. Thus the group velocity, which depends
---~--- (31) on the ratio of power transmitted to energy
(EOX)2 dz -32 X2c stored, at first rises rapidly as ka increases and

VOLUME 18, NOVEMBER, 1947 1007

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 then levels off as ka approaches kb. Likewise, the
linear attenuation, which depends on the ratio of
power loss to power transmission, starts by de-
creasing rapidly as ka increases. When ka is large,
the decrease is slower, being simply due to greater
cross-sectional area for the wave to carry power
as compared to the perimeter bounding the wave
and introducing losses. On the other hand, Q
which depends on the ratio of energy stored to
energy loss, depends mainly on kb which at first
increases only slowly with rising ka. Thus Q at
first drops slowly, though finally varying like
l/ka, for essentially the same reason as the
attenuation.
CONCLUSION
Many of the important properties of disk-
loaded wave guides have been developed, both
qualitatively and quantitatively, and have been
described by formulae, both approximate and
exact, and a number of curves, which will, it is
hoped, illustrate the more important points.
Special attention has been paid to the wave
number ka which has been computed by three
1008
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methods. On the other hand, the formulae for
loss and power flow are, for the most part, based
on an approximation valid when the disk spacing
is small, i.e., the loading is nearly continuous.
In a problem with so many variables, it is
impossible, in a finite article, to cover all the
proportions and conditions that might be of
interest and we therefore do not feel apologetic
when we point out some of the gaps in the
present treatment. First, more accurate methods
of calculating ka are certainly possible; the virtue
of our methods is that they give closed or nearly
closed formulae and so can be used to explore a
wide range of variables without undue labor.
Second, we have hardly touched on the behavior
in the vicinity of the high frequency cut-off.
Third, the loss and power-transmission calcula-
tions have been restricted to one method. And
fourth, many of the illustrative graphs have
been for a single case. Despite these lacunae, w{'
hope that our results will be of use to others.
Finally, it is a pleasure to record the assistanc{'
of Mr. E. T. Jaynes with many of the early
calculations and to acknowledge the liberal help
of the Navy under Contract N6-ori-106.
JOURNAL OF APPLmD PHYSICS