Computer optimized design of 3D electron devices

To improve RF source performance and operate at higher frequencies, designers are investigating distributed beam devices, including sheet beam and multiple beam sources. Non-axially symmetric geometries provide significant challenges for computational design. In addition to the increased computational resources required, the available parameter space makes manual design difficult or impractical. This is being addressed by developing techniques for computer optimized design of these devices. This presentation reports on progress to develop the necessary design tools.