Chaotic oscillations in a relativistic backward-wave oscillator

Backward-wave oscillators (BWOs) driven by high-current relativistic electron beams are among the most promising powerful sources of microwave electromagnetic radiation. An important role in the design of such devices is played by the numerical simulation of nonlinear nonstationary (time-dependent) processes, including complex dynamics. Several theoretical models for such simulation have been developed in previous years. However, despite the fact that the possibility of generation of chaotic oscillations in relativistic BWO had been demonstrated about two decades ago, there is still lack of knowledge about complex dynamics, especially on the scenarios of the transition to chaos. In this report we present some results of such investigation.