On the scenario of transition to the broadband oscillation regime in the prototype of a low-voltage vircator

This study is devoted to experimental investigation of the scenario for a transition from the narrow-band (single-frequency) oscillation regime to the broadband noise-like oscillation in a prototype of a low-voltage oscillator operating with a virtual cathode. The experimental setup and the control instrumentation are considered. Detailed experimental analysis of the dynamics of variation of temporal realizations of the signals generated by the laboratory prototype upon the variation of the chosen control parameters is performed. Analysis of the power spectra, temporal realizations of output signals, phase portraits, and the bifurcation diagram constructed upon a change of the chosen control parameters shows that a transition from the single-frequency oscillation regime to broadband oscillations occurs via a cascade of period-doubling bifurcations (classical Feugenbaum scenario is implemented).