An Efficient Vircator With High Output Power and Less Drifting Electron Loss by Forming Multivirtual Cathodes

Multi virtual cathodes (MVCs) were created in an axial vircator utilizing two dielectric reflectors (DRs). The wall charge of drifting electrons on the surface of DRs led to the creation of VC2 and VC3 in the downstream area of drift tube, according to phase space simulations. The microwave generated by VC1 interacted with the charge of VC2 and VC3 to raise the power amplitude, resulting in an increase in output power from 284 MW to 1028 MW. The use of two dielectric reflectors was proven to have a remarkable impact in reducing electron loss, increasing output power, and improving efficiency. The suggested vircator’s efficiency with MVCs improved from 7.9 % to 28.6 %. The findings indicate important signs of progress in vircator research to decrease electron losses and boost beam–wave interaction, which might lead to the advancement of high-efficiency vircators.