Modeling of relativistic backward wave oscillators

Summary form only given, as follows. A time-dependent nonlinear theory of a relativistic backward wave oscillator has been developed using slow time-scale analysis. The model equations include the envelope wave equation augmented by boundary conditions at both ends of the slow-wave structure and equations for electron motion. This theory is used to describe the operation of BWOs in a number of regimes: with current close to and much above the starting current, with beam voltage corresponding to operation far from and close to the /spl pi/ mode, with a guiding magnetic field far from and close to the resonance value, and with long and short beam pulses. A comparison of results of simulations with data obtained from BWO experiments demonstrate a reasonable agreement between the theory and experiments.