Optimization of the parameters of a virtual-cathode oscillator with an inhomogeneous magnetic field

A two-dimensional numerical model is used to study the generation of powerful microwave radiation in a vircator with an inhomogeneous magnetic field applied to focus a beam. The characteristics of the external inhomogeneous magnetic field are found to strongly affect the vircator generation characteristics. Mathematical optimization is used to search for the optimum parameters of the magnetic periodic focusing system of the oscillator in order to achieve the maximum power of the output microwave radiation. The dependences of the output vircator power on the characteristics of the external inhomogeneous magnetic field are studied near the optimum control parameters. The physical processes that occur in optimized virtual cathode oscillators are investigated.