A Parallel Microwave/PICCode for Breakdown Studies

70629 Waveguide breakdown is the limiting factor in obtaining the large acceleration gradients needed for the Next Linear Collider. Simulation of this phenomenon in three dimensions would likely enable researchers to find configurations with higher breakdown thresholds. However, because current three-dimensional codes are not parallel, they take excessive computer time to run. This project will adapt an existing code, which is parallel and solves Maxwell¿s equations with charged particle fluids, to simulate waveguides, complex boundaries, and resistive boundaries. Multipacting and material evaporation will also be added to provide fairly complete waveguide modeling capability. In Phase I, the existing code will be modified to allow complex boundaries, and the resistive boundaries and multipacting features will be prototyped. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the applicant: A tool for waveguide simulations would be made available to the high-power microwave community. Such a tool would enable the optimization of power throughput and also enable calculations of waveguide loading.