Self-consistent nonlinear evolution of the cyclotron autoresonance maser

Abstract

The nonlinear efficiency of the cyclotron autoresonance maser (CARM) amplifier is calculated numerically following the self-consistent evolution of the amplitude and phase of the wave. As the beam density is increased, the nonlinear efficiency and linear growth rate of the instability increase, and the interaction length for maximum efficiency decreases. Increasing the beam density also plays a favorable role in reducing the sensitivity of the instability to adverse velocity-spread effects.