Analysis of a Multibeam Vircator Configuration for Efficiency Enhancement

A new scheme of efficiency enhancement in virtual cathode oscillator (vircator) is proposed by introducing a multibeam concept. The phenomenon of radiofrequency interaction in both the single and multibeam configurations was analyzed using particle-in-cell modeling in Maxwellpsilas equations by the finite integration algorithm. Appreciable efficiency enhancement was observed for the multibeam configuration due to enhancement in the bunching process attributable to the formation of multiple virtual cathodes and multiple reflexing of electrons. Simulated results of (5 beams, 10 beams) multibeam configurations and single-beam configurations are compared for equal amounts of current, emitting area, and beam voltage in all three configurations.