2C06
Traveling wave induced multipactor TWT simulation, GATOR' and collector optimization for the
and hub formation
in crossed-field devices
S. Riyopoulos
Science Applications International Corporation
McLean, VA 22102
The onset of multipactor discharge by traveling waves
(RF), of wavelength comparable to the cascading particles
orbit size, is examined. Two dimensional effects are im-
portant, as opposed to one dimensional approach in AC
driven multipactors[l]-[a]. The process is relevant to creat-
ing and sustaining the cathode layer (hub) in crossed-field
devices with secondary emitting cathodes. The phase lock-
ing condition, where the bounce-drifting velocity for cascad-
ing electrons matches the RF phase velocity, is obtained as
a function of the operation parameters. When such a phase
exists the particles bunch in space within a wavelength, un-
til mutual repulsion due to space charge build-up disperses
them along the hub. We also find that secondary avalanches
can exist without the existence of phase locked orbits if the
from impact to impact phase slippage relative to the wave
is small enough to al.low many cathode hits before the phase
turns unfavorable (RF field opposing emission).
1 S. Riyopoulos, D. Chemin and D. Dialetis, IEEE Trans. Elec-
tron Devices 44, 489 (1997).
2 S. Riyopoulos, Phys. Plasmas 4, 1448 (1997).
153
2C07
Hughes 8815HR TWT
Daniel J. Gregoire William L. Menninger
djGregoire@hrl.com will@gatling.to.hac.com
HRL Research Laboratories Hughes Electron Dynamics Division
Malibu, CA 90265 Torrance, CA 90505
Beam efficiency, the RF output power divided by the
electron beam power, is a critical parameter for the commercial
success of a traveling-wave tube (TWT). Over the past thirty
years, TWT designs have consistently established higher efficiency
levels by developing advanced design techniques for analyzing
parametric changes to the electron gun, helix geometry, and
especially, the electron-beam collector. GATOR is one of the
latest TWT numerical design tools; it is a time-dependent code that
simulates the TWT RF/electron-beam interaction by using a
spectral decompostion of the helix circuit modes and by tracking
the electron beam in two spatial and three momenta coordinates.
GATOR's multi-dimensional capability and its relatively short run
times promise to make it a valuable tool for predicting TWT
electron-beam characteristics that are essential for optimizing
collector design.
In this paper, we present the results of our effort to validate
GATOR as a reliable code for predicting TWT behavior; in
particular, we present the results of our GATOR model for the
Hughes 8815HR TWT and compare those results to experimental
measurement and to simulations performed using Qhelix, Hughes'
proprietary TWT code. The predictions from the 8815HR Gator
model agree well with measured values. RF output power and
phase shift agree to within 0.5 dB and 2 degrees, respectively, over
a range of RF input powers from Saturation-20 dB to Saturation.
This agreement is maintained over a 10% frequency bandwidth and
at three distinct cathode voltage-current operating points that cover
a 2 dB range in saturated RF output power.
We also present GATOR's predictions for the spent-beam
energy and momentum distribution, compare those to measured
data, discuss how parametric variations affect those distributions,
and how those distributions affect collector design.
' H.P. Freund and E.G. Zaidman, Phys. Plasmas 4,2292-2301 (1997)