Simulation of non-uniform electron beams in the gyrotron electron-optical system

New calculated data on the effect of emission inhomogeneities on the quality of the electron beam, which is formed in an electron-optical system of a gyrotron, have been obtained. The calculations were based on emission current density distributions, which were measured for the different cathodes in the gyrotron of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. A satisfactory agreement between the experimental and calculated data on the influence of emission nonuniformities on the velocity spread of electrons has been shown. The necessity of considering the real distribution of the emission current density over the cathode surface to determine the main parameters of the electron beam–the velocity and energy spreads of the electrons, spatial structure of the beam, and coefficient of reflection of electrons from the magnetic mirror–has been demonstrated. The maximum level of emission inhomogeneities, which are permissible for effective work of gyrotrons, has been discussed.