Simulation studies of relativistic gyroklystron amplifiers

High power, pulsed gyroklystrons operating in the X, Ku, and Ka bands are being developed for driving future linear colliders. Various design aspects of two and three cavity, coaxial, relativistic gyroklystron systems are studied. Nonlinear simulations predict that over 40% efficiency, 45--50 dB gain, and 100--160 MW power levels are possible for the fundamental and second harmonic designs operating at 8.6, 17.1, and 35.0 GHz frequencies. Gyroklystron designs should also satisfy phase and frequency synchronization criteria for driving large accelerators. Small manufacturing tolerances can lead to 10--20 MHz changes in cold cavity frequencies. It is desirable to have some frequency tunability to compensate for this effect. It is shown that the desired frequency tunability can be achieved by making small adjustments in the axial magnetic field level. Effect of voltage pulse on the device efficiency and output phase is studied using time-dependent simulations. The pulse-shape plays an important role in determining phase stability. Advance design features such as radial coupling slots in the input and output cavities and dielectric loading are studied using HFSS simulations. An improved three cavity, Ku band design will be presented based on these features. In addition, a possible implementation scheme for energy recovery using a single-stage depressed collector will be presented. It is shown that the energy recovery could boost the net device efficiency above 50%