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Simulated parameters of subgigawatt relativistic BWOs with permanent

magnetic systems

Article · June 2011

DOI: 10.1109/PPC.2011.6191447

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Alexander Gunin Vladislav Vladimirovich Rostov

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 SIMULATED PARAMETERS OF SUBGIGAWATT RELATIVISTIC BWOs
WITH PERMANENT MAGNETIC SYSTEMS∗

A.V. Gunin, V.V. Rostovξ, E.M. Tot’meninov

High Current Electronics Institute SB RAS, 634055, 2/3, Akademicheskii Avenue, Tomsk, Russia
K.A. Sharypov, V.G. Shpak, M. I. Yalandin
Institute of Electrophysics UB RAS, 620016,106, Amundsen Street, Ekaterinburg, Russia
A.E. Yermakov, S.V. Zhakov
Institute of Metal Physics UB RAS, 620049,18, S.Kovalevskaya Street, Ekaterinburg, Russia
G. Demol
ITHPP F-46500 Thegra, France
R. Vezinet
CEA/DAM GRAMAT F-46500 Gramat, France

Abstract of this zone is of special importance and requires to

Report presents the results of calculations and
numerical modeling of quasi-stationary, nanosecond
relativistic X-band and Ka-band BWOs with peak power
exceeding 100 MW where magnetic field guided electron
beam (0.5-1.7 T) could be created by permanent magnets
made of highly-coercivity materials. Magnetic field
interpolation of the permanent magnets was used in
numerical models of microwave devices (code KARAT).
Particle-in-cell simulations have shown that in the
frequency ranges of 8 GHz and 37 GHz, and for the B-
field below cyclotron resonance value, the same
parameters of HPM generation are available as it
predicted and/or measured experimentally for prototype
models with solenoids fed by DC or pulsed current.
reduce e-beam gun (vacuum diode) overall radial size,
including vacuum insulator section. With that, an electric
field at the cathode shielding electrode should be
minimized. The probability of injection of backward e-
beam current is of critical and this requires a special
shaping of B-field lines of force in the section between
the cathode and vacuum insulator.
II. BWO with resonant reflector
Relativistic BWO with resonant reflector and increased
slow wave structure cross-section (D/λ>1, here D is the
mean diameter of the SWS and λ is the wavelength) is
schematically depicted in Fig. 1.

I. INTRODUCTION
The BWOs equipped with highly-coercivity permanent
magnets (for example, made of NdFeB) can enhance
essentially autonomy of a prospective HPM generators
built around of high-current repetitive electron
accelerators type SINUS, RADAN, and ones based on
SOS modulators [1-3]. Besides, a stable source of
focusing B-field could be important component of Figure 1. Design of BWO with resonant reflector; R –
multichannel BWO’s providing coherent summation of reflector, SOL – solenoid, B – electron beam, SWS – slow
the radiation [4]. wave structure.
Design of permanent magnets takes into consideration a
specificity of the options where solenoidal profile of B- In this oscillator scheme [5], an incident TM01 wave
field is required in the BWOs working zone. It includes counter-propagating to the e-beam is reflected from the
the cathode electrode, slow-wave system (SWS), and e- resonant reflector in the idle mode due to excitation of the
beam collector. The problem of B-field reverse shift out locked symmetric TM02 mode. The amplitude of z-

∗
This work was supported in part by the French MOD (DGA) and CEA Gramat through a research contract involving
ITHPP (Thegra, France) and HCEI SB RAS (Tomsk, Russia), by integrated research projects between HCEI SB RAS,
IEP UB RAS, and IMP UB RAS, and by RFBR Grant 11-02-00097.
ξ
email: rostov@lfe.hcei.tsc.ru

978-1-4577-0631-8/11/$26.00 ©2011 IEEE 371

component of RF electric field at the beam radius in the It allows calculations of the axial and radial magnetic
reflector region can be several times higher than that one field components in axially symmetric systems containing
in the corrugated waveguide. Thus in the confined space permanent magnets and, if necessary, a soft magnetic
region, conditions are provided for preliminary efficient elements [9]. Permanent magnet was also optimized by
modulation of the e-beam. magnetostatic section of SAM program package [10].
It should be noted that, due to concentration of RF field
in the reflector volume, preliminary modulation effect in
this system is stronger than in the conventional relativistic
BWO with cutoff-neck. The oversized SWS cross-section
reduces the probability of RF breakdown. Increasing the
SWS (and the cathode) diameter results in reducing the
radial component of electric field at the edge of the
cathode. This improves quality of electron beam and
increases efficiency of the microwave generation at
magnetic field below cyclotron resonance [6,7].

III. X-BAND BWO

Figure 3. Non-averaged microwave power vs. time (340
A. Time domain numerical experiments MW, if averaged at stationary stage) simulated for BWO
Numerical optimization of 8-GHz BWO generation with solenoid (Fig.2,a). Windings current set as 95 A; Bz-
regimes was performed with the used of axially- field at the cathode edge of 0.59 Т.
symmetrical version of PIC-code KARAT [8]. Parameters
of SWS and e-beam injector used in simulations were
identical for both BWO options based on guiding solenoid
coil (Fig.2,a) as well as on the permanent magnet
(Fig.2,b). Electron-beam characteristics used in the
simulation were as follows: electron energy of 400 keV,
beam current of 3.1 kA.

Figure 4. Microwave power vs. maximum value of

guiding magnetic field simulated for BWO with solenoid
(Fig.2,a). Point “A” corresponds to PIC-simulation
presented at Fig.3.

Figure 2. Comparison of the axial magnetic field

distribution and electron beam trajectories in interaction
space of BWO for two versions of magnetic field sources.
Diagrams has equal scale and the coincident point in the
edge of cathode, that is electron beam emission area.

For numerical model of the device based on solenoid,

B-field was evaluated from the current in the windings of Figure 5. Non-averaged microwave power flux vs. time
selected geometry. The permanent magnet-based system (347 MW, if averaged at stationary stage) simulated for
was preliminary optimized by the boundary integral BWO with permanent magnet (Fig.2,b). Interpolated Bz-
method using a developed FORTRAN program package. field at the cathode edge of 0.59 Т.

372
 Simulation of HPM generation in quasi-stationary
regime has shown (Fig.3) that for solenoid-based BWO
peak power of 340 MW is achievable in magnetic field
above 0.5 T. Hereinafter we mean B-field in the
maximum of axial distribution (Fig.2). Efficiency of
HPM-generation (~27%) is quite high in this case, and
microwave power remains practically constant for B-
fields above certain value for a rather extended interval
until appearance of cyclotron resonance effect.
In view of a stable, long-term BWO operation in
repetitive mode it’s desirable to increase B-field until no
drop of the generation power. This is important to
improve homogeneity of electrons emission from the
cathode as well as to prevent electrons touch of SWS wall
when secondary near-wall discharges can be initiated.
Obviously, for the solenoid-based BWO, the rise of B-
field results in the increase of power supply source.
As it follows from calculations (Fig.5), the BWO option
with permanent magnet can provide microwave power no
less than that for the device with solenoid. However,
attempt to increase B-field for e-beam quality
improvement will be associated in this case with a growth
of magnetic material mass and/or with a necessity to
increase its residual magnetization.
Figure. 6. Electric field values and backward electrons
trajectories in two versions of vacuum diodes.
B. Coaxial diode design
Design option of coaxial e-beam diode magnetized by
the permanent magnet (Fig.6,a) should reproduce all
useful properties of the diode equipped with a solenoid
coil (Fig.6,b). Shielding electrode of the cathode holder
must terminate backward parasitic current emitting from
the cathode edge (i). To minimize the probability of
parasitic electron emission from entire cathode electrode,
electric field should not exceed some critical level. For
example, in the case of voltage pulse width of about 40
ns, critical E-field level at finished surface of stainless
steel electrode is limited by the value of 300 kV/cm (ii).
Long service life of vacuum insulator presupposes the
level of E-field at dielectric boundaries as it was realized
for the diode geometry presented at Fig.6,a (iii).
Numerical electrostatic calculations (Fig.6) were done
for the voltage level of -450 kV. This voltage exceeds
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somewhat the BWO operating voltage (400 kV) and, in
particular, takes into account the factor of probable
voltage pulse non-uniformity. As it seen at Fig.6,a, a
backward path of B-field lines is terminated by the shield
electrode of cathode holder. This stops parasitic current
emitting from cathode edge to the grounded wall of
diode. Maximum value of electric field at the cathode
holder surface attains 255 kV/cm. It exceeds the level of
215 kV/cm calculated for the case of solenoid-based
version. However, it is less essentially than above
mentioned critical level of 300 kV/cm. Maximum level of
E-filed on the insulator boundary is almost the same for
both versions of the diode. Thus, the results of simulations
demonstrated possibility of reliable vacuum diode
configuration when it equipped with a permanent magnet.
C. Design and characteristics of permanent magnet
For technological reasons, axially symmetric sections
of the permanent magnet were interpolated with a set of
trapezoidal segments (Fig.7). Estimates have shown that
for the option with twelve segments interpolation
provided non-uniformity of axial filed distribution less
than 0.1% in the BWO beam-to-wave interaction region.
Axial repulsion force inside radial-magnetized sections
of permanent magnet and repulsion between the sections
in whole was estimated. Above forces did not exceed
8000 N for residual magnetization of Вr=1.2 T selected
for NdFeB. With that, mechanical strength of a permanent
magnet can be provided by rather standard tightening
elements. The value of Вr=1.2 T was chosen reasoning
from commercial availability of magnetic materials to fit
a required residual magnetization spread of numerous
individual magnetized elements no worse than 2%.
Table 1 presents main characteristics of designed
highly-coercivity permanent magnetic systems whose B-
field in critical zone of the BWO is equivalent to that of
the pulse solenoid with winding currents of 95A and 75А.
For the last case (75 А), when maximum B-field is about
0.47 Т, BWO microwave power drops down to ~150 MW
in accordance with simulations similar to that shown at
Fig.4 and Fig.5. However, for a decreased-power BWO e-
beam parameters were specially reduced (electron energy
of 330 keV, beam current of 2.35 kA), and these measures
makes more compact the accelerator and 40% - decreases
the weight of magnetic material (down to 95 kg).
Table 1. Permanent magnets of X-band BWO
Characteristics Version for Version for
Bz=0.59 T Bz=0.47 T
Total length, mm 565 547
Diameter, mm 320 290
Mass of the magnet, kg 132 95
Total weight, including 172 130
tightening system, kg
BWO microwave 347 150
power, MW
 It is pertinent to mention here that the BWO prototype
with DC solenoid has a weight of copper windings of ~55
kg. Besides, the device also includes a stabilized,
controllable mains rectifier (12 kW; weight ~15 kg).
Taking into account the necessity of forced cooling of the
windings, the total weight of the BWO unit with
permanent magnet exceeds one for the solenoid-based
option less than two times.
Figure 7. Design of high-coercivity magnet integrated
with vacuum chamber, electron injector, electrodynamic
slow-wave structure and forced-cooled beam collector of
X-band BWO.
IV. Ka-BAND BWO
Design project of Ka-band BWO is based on the
prototype of quasi-stationary HPM device with a pulsed
solenoid (Fig.8) tested experimentally [11]. For the
guiding field of 2.2 T in the maximum of Bz - distribution
(similar to that shown at Fig.2,a) an output power of HPM
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generation was as high as 150-170 MW. This was rather
close to the peak power predicted in PIC-simulations [8]
(Fig.9). In the experiments and simulations electron beam
energy was 275 keV, and e-beam current was 1.7 kA.
Thus, efficiency of quasi-stationary HPM generation
attained 35%.
When dealing with a project of permanent magnet-
based Ka-band BWO, one must keep in mind the
following peculiarities. Reduction of HPM device sizes
proportionally to the radiation wavelength does not
presuppose equivalent E-fields scaling in the whole
system. On the contrary, this leads to the rise of E-field at
the cathode electrode and increases essentially transversal
velocities of electrons in the tubular beam. If so, then
thickness of hollow e-beam should be minimizing by
application Bz field as strong as possible in the region
below cyclotron resonance (Fig.9).
There is also problem of high E-field at the shield of
cathode electrode. This value attains ~600 kV/cm and it
can be critical for pulse durations exceeding units of
nanoseconds. Development of secondary near-wall
microwave discharges in SWS is also highly probable at
elongated pulsewidth. Fortunately, in the experiments
[11] where e-beam puleswidth was 3-5 ns we did not
observe cutting of microwaves due to above limitation
factors. This was a background which stimulated design
project of Ka-band BWO equipped with a permanent
magnet made of NdFeB (Fig.11) possessing maximum B-
field of 1.7 T and predicted peak power of 140 MW.
Figure 8. Schematic cross-section of prototype Ka-band
BWO equipped with a pulsed solenoid coil.
Figure 9. Microwave power vs. guiding magnetic field
simulated for Ka-band BWO with solenoid (Fig.8). Point
“A” corresponds to the experiment [11]. Point “B”
represents the choice for permanent-magnet-based Ka-
band BWO.

Figure 10. Non-averaged microwave power flux vs. time
(142 MW, if averaged at stationary stage) simulated for
Ka-band BWO with solenoid (Fig.9). Bz-field at the
cathode edge of 1.7 Т.
Figure 10. Design of high-coercivity magnet integrated
with vacuum chamber, electron injector, electrodynamic
slow-wave structure and forced-cooled beam collector of
Ka-band BWO. Maximum magnetic field at the cathode
emitting region is 1.7 T. Residual magnetization of
NdFeB is selected as Br=1.2 T. Total weight of the
magnetic material is 70 kg.
375
V. SUMMARY
The weight of designed permanent magnet of X-band
BWO exceeds one for equivalent dc solenoids. However,
the absence of capacitive energy storages, charging
devices (rectifiers) and power switches, as well as systems
of forced oil cooling of windings, the total weight and
sized characteristics of the permanent magnet can be
preferable in the case of long-burst or continuous
operation.
Total weight of permanent magnet of Ka-band BWO
(~90 kg) tree times higher as compare with the pulsed
solenoid supply source used in the experiments [11] at
pulse repetition frequency of 10 Hz (pulse solenoid itself
weights less than 1 kg). At the same time, permanent
magnetic system has not limitation to increase the
repetition rate of HPM device when, for example, SOS-
based hybrid modulator [12] can drive e-beam injector as
fast as thousand pulses per second and higher. A 2-T
direct current, forced-cooled solenoid and associated
supply/cooling systems much more heavy and require the
mains power above 20 kW [3].
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