Alexander S. Gilmour, Jr

Alexander S. Gilmour, Jr. received the BEE, MSEE, and Ph.D. degrees from Cornell University in 1955, 1959, and 1961 respectively. His doctoral klystron and TWT work resulted in a nearly perfect Brillouin electron beam. He made the first detailed measurements of the RF current and velocity distributions in Brillouin beams.

He was Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Cornell University from 1961 to 1963 and was Professor in Residence at the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory from 1963 to 1965. He established the Wave Electronics Section at the Laboratory and was the Section Head from 1965 to 1967. He was Manager of the Electronics Department of Sanders Associates in Williamsville, New York from 1967 to 1970. He was appointed Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo (UB) in 1970. He was Visiting Scientist at the Space Power Institute at Auburn University, from 1986 1987. He was Chairman of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UB for several years and became Professor Emeritus in 1992.
From 1970 to 1992, he made numerous contributions to the development of light-weight power conditioning systems for high power space based systems. In recognition of his contributions, he received the 1992 IEEE High Voltage Workshop Award and the 2006 IEEE Sol Schneider Power Modulator Award.
He was instrumental in establishing the NASA/USAF program to develop compact multistage depressed collectors for use in high efficiency TWTs for airborne electronic counter measures systems. Helix TWT efficiency was tripled as a result of this program. He has worked extensively with Government personnel to correct deficient tube and system designs in order to reduce failure rates and enhance performance.

During the past 40 years he has taught over 100 courses on microwave tubes to well over 2000 scientists, engineers and technicians from industry, government and academia. He also compiled and published the Conference Records of the Power Modulator Symposia (over 5000 pages), and wrote several books on microwave tubes. Three of these were published by Artech House. The first book, Microwave Tubes, was based on the five day course that he developed and presented at various military, industrial and educational organizations. The second book, Principles of Traveling Wave Tubes, was based on the eight-day course that he developed and presented two to three times at each of the major U. S. microwave tube companies and at the Crane Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center. This book was also translated and published in Russia. The third book, Klystrons, Traveling Wave Tubes, Magnetrons, Crossed-Field Amplifiers and Gyrotrons, was based on teaching as well as consulting activities. This book was also translated and published in China.

Dr. Gilmour is a fellow member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. His background includes certification as an Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineer and as a Professional Engineer in the State of New York.

John R. Pierce Award for Excellence in Vacuum Electronics 2018

For contributions to the development of high efficiency traveling wave tubes, and for educating generations of scientists and engineers world-wide through his books and courses on vacuum electronics.

asgilmourjr@yahoo.com