From Single to Multiple Frequency Stability Analysis of VEDs Using TESLA-Z Based Framework

The danger of instability is a main limiting factor in the performance and operation of Vacuum Electronic (VE) amplifiers. Thus, it is critically important to have the capability to accurately predict the development of these instabilities. Particle-in-cell (PIC), time domain codes are widely used to for this purpose. However, extensive use of PIC codes is not practical due to their high demand on computer resources. As an alternative, we recently developed a linear stability analysis framework [1], which is based on the NRL large-signal, 2.5D code TESLA-Z, and which enables “zero-drive” (small-signal) stability analyses. The approach used takes full advantage of the impedance matrix approach [2] and the Nyquist encirclement criteria. The newly developed algorithms have been fully validated and their effectiveness has been demonstrated.