Numerical simulations of a relativistic magnetron

A two-dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation is used to study the self-consistent evolution of the space-charge cloud in a high-power magnetron. In the simulation, a rotating reference frame reduces the field solution to an inversion of Poisson's equation, which is solved in a cylindrical geometry. The particles are moved relativistically. The simulation is applied to the A6 magnetron, which is the prototype for the new class of relativistic magnetrons. Good agreement is found with published experimental results. The simulation is used to study the effect of power extraction on efficiency, the role of the wave magnetic field on saturation, and relativistic effects of magnetron operation. Interaction regions within the charge cloud are identified.<
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