Implication of DC-space-charge-induced velocity spread on gyrotron gun performance

The confinement of mirror-trapped electrons under the influence of dc space charge and their effect on the velocity distribution in a magnetron injection gun is investigated theoretically and computationally. Most trapped electrons are found to escape from the gun due to pitch angle scattering by the spatially periodic electrostatic potential created by the forward propagating beam. However, a small portion scatters into orbits which are more deeply trapped and can escape only by striking the modulation anode. As electrons diffuse in velocity, the velocity distribution in the gun region extends toward increasing perpendicular velocity. On the other hand, the accumulation of trapped particles near the cathode induces an additional velocity spread in the main beam. Consequently, the main beam exhibits an increased velocity spread and a reduced transverse momentum when it enters the cavity.