Analysis of Pseudospark-Driven Electron Beam Generation and Its Propagation Inside High-Power THz BWO

In this paper, a simulation study has been carried out to analyze the pseudospark (PS)-driven electron beam generation and propagation inside a plasma-assisted, high-power THz backward wave oscillator (BWO), using particle-incell (PIC) simulation software, OOPIC Pro. The PS-driven electron beam is generated inside a plasma cathode electron (PCE) gun and results in the production of a highly energetic electron beam possessing high current density. The beam propagation takes place inside the drift space of the W-band staggered double vane THz wave interaction structure, suitable for the generation of 0.1 THz radiation. Analysis of beam generation and propagation is necessary for the optimization of the parameters affecting the generation of high-power THz radiation. These parameters comprise the applied gap voltage (V) on the PCE gun, gas pressure (P) inside the PCE gun and interaction structure, and the beam current (I) of the emitted beam inside the interaction structure. In this paper, a study has been performed to analyze the effect of these parameters on PS-driven electron beam generation and propagation at applied gap voltage of 20 and 30 kV, gas pressure ranging from 1 to 20 Pa, and beam current ranging from 1 to 20 A.