Three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of the relativistic klystron oscillator

Summary form only given. The Relativistic Klystron Oscillator is one of several advanced high-power microwave sources currently under development at the Air Force Research Laboratory. An effort to aid in the design of this device by means of computational physics modeling has been mounted. The primary tool in this effort has been ICEPIC, a three-dimensional parallel particle-in-cell code currently under development at AFRL. Optimization studies have also been undertaken by means of a genetic algorithm approach. We will present results of investigations into the behavior of the emission algorithm used for modeling the RKO cathode, discuss the application of a novel resistive-wall electromagnetics boundary condition used for modeling the coupled cavities, and simulations of the fully three-dimensional extractor. Genetic algorithm approaches to the optimization of the RKO will also be presented.