Photonic Crystal-Based High-Power Backward Wave Oscillator

Journal Article · 01 December 2017 · IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/TPS.2017.2774271 · OSTI ID:1416512

Poole, Brian R.  ^[1]; Harris, John R.  ^[2]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
2. Air Force Research Lab., Albuquerque, NM (United States)

An electron beam traversing a slow wave structure can be used to either generate or amplify electromagnetic radiation through the interaction of the slow space charge wave on the beam with the slow wave structure modes. Here, a cylindrical waveguide with a periodic array of conducting loops is used for the slow wave structure. This paper considers operation as a backward wave oscillator. The dispersion properties of the structure are determined using a frequency-domain eigenmode solver. The interaction of the electron beam with the structure modes is investigated using a 2-D particle-in-cell (PIC) code. In conclusion, the operating frequency and growth rate dependence on beam energy and beam current are investigated using the PIC code and compared with analytic and scaling estimates where possible.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-07NA27344
• OSTI ID: 1416512
• Report Number(s): LLNL-JRNL-730755; TRN: US1800948
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, Vol. 46, Issue 1; ISSN 0093-3813
• Publisher: IEEECopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English