Applications of the CTLSS electromagnetic eigensolver to modeling slow-wave devices

Summary form only given, as follows. The cold-test and large-signal simulator (CTLSS) code is a three-dimensional simulation tool developed specifically for the modeling of vacuum electron devices. It is a three-dimensional resonant electromagnetic frequency-domain code coupled to the CHRISTINE large-signal model. This paper will describe new results in the application of CTLSS to design calculations for slow-wave devices. Current directions for CTLSS development will also be described. Simulations of helix TWTs are presented that demonstrate a methodology consisting of using CHRTSTINE for parametric optimization, followed by CTLSS cold-test calculations of the CHRISTINE optimum to capture the effects of real geometry and real materials on the dispersion and impedance of the helix device with support rods. As a final step, CHRISTINE is exercised using the cold-test parameters from CTLSS to compute the consequences of materials and geometry for device performance.