2-D Simulation and Experimental Investigation of an Axial Vircator

A method for 2-D simulation of an axial vircator with a resonance cavity is described. It uses a self-consistent solution of relativistic motion equations and Maxwell equations for scalar and vector potentials in the Coulomb gauge. The vector potential is represented as a superposition of resonator eigenmodes, where each eigenmode corresponds to a damping oscillator. Damping enables considering radiative energy losses from the open end of the resonator. Compliance of the simulation results with both published experimental studies and those performed by our team is demonstrated.