THEORETICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF A VIRCATOR WITH A PLASMA ANODE

Results of studies of a vircator with a plasma anode are presented. Co mputer particle-in-cell simulations of the dynamics of electrons and p ositive ions show that, in a vircator with a plasma anode, microwave ( MW) radiation can be generated by an oscillating virtual cathode simil arly to the usual vircator with a metal grid (or foil) anode. It is sh own that the positive ions from the plasma anode are captured by the v irtual cathode and incorporated into the collective motion along the v ircator axis. The characteristics of this motion are determined. Exper imental studies of the plasma-anode vircator are performed. MW generat ion with a duration of up to 3 mu s is obtained. A beam of positive io ns trapped by the moving virtual cathode is detected.