Particle in cell simulation for the power enhancement by forming the second virtual cathode in an axial vircator

Abstract

A floating zone plate (ZP) was installed in the axial vircator for the formation of VC2 by using the wall charge of drifting electrons. The material of the opaque zones was changed to aluminum, copper, and glass to observe the effects. The main frequency of the microwave increased when VC2 is formed. At new frequencies, the opaque zones with aluminum and copper behave as an obstacle for the propagation of microwave, while the glass is suitable for the power enhancement. These results have significant importance for the implementation of real experiments to form VC2 by wall charge.

Keywords

• Particle-in-cell
• Vircator
• Floating zone plate
• Conversion efficiency
• High power microwaves