Undesired resonances in oversized rippled-wall mode converters

A new method to study rippled-wall mode converters based on a generalized investigation of multi-resonance phenomena in periodically perturbated circular oversized waveguides is presented. These resonances cause serious problems in the design of advanced, very high-power millimetre wave mode converters. The concept of a mode diagram helps in the initial design steps to get a global feel for possible resonances at each frequency and waveguide diameter. The optimal conversion path is determined from this mode diagram to avoid unwanted mode resonances. This method is shown applied to a TE_0.1?TE₀₃converter with a waveguide diameter of 27-79mm working at 60GHz. This converter is very close to the worst resonance effect (first-order resonance: |β₀₃? β₀₄.| ≈| β₀₃? β₀₁ |) which destroys totally the desired conversion effect. The second example shown is a TE₀₂?TE₀₁ converter with a waveguide diameter of 44-45 mm working at 28 GHz. In this case the resonance effect is of second order (i.e. | β₀₂? β₀₃|≈2| β₀₁? β₀₂|).     

Design of mode converters for generating the TE11 mode from TM01 vircator at 4GHz

This work reports on measurements and calculations (coupled mode equations) on the conversion of transverse magnetic TM₀₁ vircator mode at 4 GHz to the linearly polarized TE₁₁ mode by means of mode converter systems using a circular waveguide with curvature. The mode converter is composed of a 38.78° bend with 39.07 cm curvature and a 50.78° inverse bend with 25.24 cm curvature in 9 cm internal diameter (ID) circular waveguide. The efficiency of conversion from TM₀₁ to TE₁₁ at 4 GHz exceeds 99%, and the overall efficiency from TM₀₁ to TE₁₁ exceeds 90% over a calculated range of 3.72–4.8 GHz.     

Efficient Output Mode Converter for 30 GHz Gyroklystron at IAP

An output mode converter for Ka-band multi-MW gyroklystron in the Institute of Applied Physics (IAP) operating in the TE₅₃ mode is suggested. Two variants of the converter, aimed for different applications, are presented: the TE₅₃ to TE₀₁ mode converter with power output along the device axis and the TE₅₃ mode to Gaussian wavebeam quasi-optical converter with a visor. The suggested designs include the built-in electron beam collector. The converters were designed using a new synthesis algorithm, which implies iterative improvement of the waveguide wall shape in order to achieve high efficiency. The calculation results were proven by HFSS simulation and low-power tests of one version of the converter.     

TE01-TEM00 Quasi-Optical Mode Converter

A new quasi-optical TE₀₁-TEM₀₀ mode converter is presented. It consists of four mirrors sequentially correcting diffraction divergence of TE₀₁ mode, its polarization, then amplitude and phase patterns. Results of the measurement performed at millimeter waves agree well with the design parameters: total conversion efficiency exceeds 90% in the frequency band of 20%.     

Numerical Simulation of Waveguide TM<Subscript>01</Subscript>-TE<Subscript>11</Subscript> Mode Converter Using FDTD Method

We study a transmission problem of an electromagnetic pulse with given transversal structure passing through a waveguide converter from TM₀₁ to TE₁₁ mode of circular waveguide. Using FDTD numerical simulation method we have investigated mode structure of the pulse at the output of the converter and its dependence on pulse length at the input. Also we have obtained frequency characteristic by calculating Fourier response for a pulse with wide spectrum.     

High power millimeter-wave TE03 to TM11 mode converters

Transmission of power from 42 ± 0.2 GHz gyrotron (TE₀₃ mode) to tokamak or dummy load requires a set of transmission line components. It includes a set of mode converters that converts circularly unpolarised TE₀₃ mode to polarised HE₁₁ mode. The mode conversion sequence is methodised in two steps; first from TE₀₃ to TE₀₁ mode and then from TE₀₁ to TM₁₁ mode. The proposed mode converters performance depends on the parameters such as waveguide radius, beat wavelength, number of ripples, its perturbation amplitude (η) and bending angle. These parameters are numerically optimised and verified in CST microwave studio. TE₀₃ to TE₀₁ mode conversion is realised by the generation of intermediate mode TE₀₂. The mode conversion length for TE₀₃ to TE₀₂ mode converter is6λ₀, (where λ_b is the beat wavelength of corresponding mode conversion) which converts 99.15% of an incident circular TE₀₃ mode power into TE₀₂ mode power. Next, mode converter converts TE₀₂ mode into TE₀₁ mode with 99.06% efficiency along the optimal length of6λ_b. For TE₀₁ to TM₁₁ mode conversion, two conversion methodologies have been proposed: first using axis arc bend (34.94°) technique to convert TE₀₁ into its analogous degenerate mode with 99.01% conversion efficiency and second using parabolic curve with 90° bend, which gives a conversion efficiency of 97.5%.     

High-power Mode Converter of Overmoded Bent Circular Waveguide

Based on the mode coupling theory, a TE₀₁—TM₁₁ mode converter was designed and optimal results were obtained. In this paper, bandwidth of mode converter with axis exponential structure is the largest, and mode converter with axis sinusoidal structure is the most compact in the case of the center frequency is 28GHz and the waveguide radius is 16mm. If the bending angle between input port and output port of mode converter was demanded for 90°, mode converter with axis parabola structure had the characteristics of compact structure, higher mode purity and larger relative bandwidth. Meanwhile, we found that the converter could be also used as TE₁₁ mode transition with transmission efficiency above 99%. But due to bending angle of this structure was restricted, its center frequency and waveguide radius had the obvious corresponding relation.     

High-power millimetre-wave mode converters in overmoded circular waveguides using periodic wall perturbations

This work reports on measurements and calculations (coupled mode equations) on the conversion of circular electric TE_0n gyrotron mode compositions (TE₀₁ to TE₀₄) at 28 and 70 GHz to the linearly polarized TE₁₁ mode by means of mode converter systems using periodic waveguide wall perturbations. Mode transducers with axisymmetric radius perturbations transform the TE_0n gyrotron mode mixture to the more convenient TE₀₁ mode for long-distance transmission through overmoded waveguides. Proper matching of the phase differences between the TE_0n modes and of lengths and perturbation amplitudes of the several converter sections is required. A mode converter with constant diameter and periodically perturbed curvature transfers the unpolarized TE₀₁ mode into the TE₁₁ mode which produces an almost linearly polarized millimetre-wave beam needed for efficient electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) of plasmas in thermonuclear fusion devices. The experimentally determined TE_0n -to-TE₀₁ conversion efficiency is (98 ± 1)% at 28 and 70 GHz (99% predicted) while the TE₀₁-to-TE,, converter has a (96 ± 2)% conversion efficiency at 28 GHz (95% predicted) and (94 ± 2)% at 70 GHz (93% predicted) with ohmic losses included in each case. This paper also presents theoretical and experimental results on the two-step TE₁₆-to-TE₁₂-to-TE₁₁ mode conversion at 28 GHz by means of two periodically rippled-wall mode converters. The conversion efficiencies achieved are almost 92% and 95%, respectively. Similar converters might be used for transformation of the output modes of future high-frequency TE_1n gyromonotrons or 10 GHz gyro-klystron amplifiers into the TE₁₁ mode, which in turn can then be transformed by circumferentially corrugated or dielectrically coated mode transducers into the perfectly linearly polarized quasi-optical HE₁₁ hybrid mode. The efficiency of periodically modulated wall mode-converters can be considerably improved by proper re-matching of the phase difference between the two converted modes within the converter.     

Study of combined transmission line for high power wave generated by a gyrotron in the millimetre wavelength range

A powerful millimetre-wave line transmitting energy from a gyrotron to a tokamak is studied. The line is open and combines mirrors and sections of an irregular oversized circular waveguide. The construction of the transmission line units is improved to provide selectivity for the operating TE₀₁ mode. Particularly, the open quasioptical elbow operating at the long-wave region of the millimetre range and rotating the line by an angle of 90^° is experimentally investigated. The operating TE₀₁ mode insertion losses are 0.2-0.3 dB with a 4% bandwidth.     

A Mode Converter with Multi-waveguide Output from the TE<Subscript>01</Subscript> Circular Waveguide Mode to the TE<Subscript>10</Subscript> Rectangular Mode for Millimeter Wave Gyro-device Applications

A mode converter with multi-waveguide output for millimeter wave gyro-device applications is proposed in this article, which is used to convert the TE₀₁ circular waveguide mode into the TE₁₀ rectangular waveguide mode. Computer simulations with Ansoft HFSS code show that the energy transmission coefficient of larger than 95.96% may be reached in the frequency range from 34.094 GHz to 35.8 GHz (a bandwidth of 1.706 GHz) at a VSWR of lower than 1.5 for the input operating mode.     

Experimental Results on a 1.5 MW, 110 GHz Gyrotron with a Smooth Mirror Mode Converter

We present an internal mode converter (IMC) design for a 1.5 MW, 110 GHz gyrotron operating in the TE_22,6 mode. The launcher, designed using the codes Surf3d and LOT, converts the cavity waveguide mode into a nearly pure Gaussian beam. The Gaussian beam output from the launcher is shaped by a series of 4 smooth, curved mirrors to provide a circular output beam with a flat phase front at the gyrotron window. By employing smooth mirrors rather than mirrors with phase correcting surfaces, such an IMC is less sensitive to alignment issues and can more reliably operate with high efficiency. The IMC performance was verified by both cold test and hot test experiments. Beam pattern measurements in each case were in good agreement with theoretical predictions. The output beam was of high quality with calculations showing that the Gaussian Beam content was 95.8 ± 0.5% in both hot and cold test.     

Experimental study of a high efficiency quasi-optical mode converter for whispering gallery mode gyrotrons

A mode converter for whispering gallery mode gyrotrons has been designed and experimentally demonstrated. Experiments were performed on a megawatt power level, 3μs pulsed gyrotron operating in the TE_16,2,1 whispering gallery mode at 146 GHz. The gyrotron cavity employs a non-linear uptaper to minimize radial mode conversion. About 99% of the output power is in the TE_16,2 mode. The quasi-optical converter consists of a helically cut Vlasov-type waveguide launcher and a reflector. The doubly curved reflector, designed using geometric optics and vector diffraction theory, was built to focus the full radiation pattern to a small, gaussian-like focal spot. Of the power incident in the TE_16,2 mode, 96% is directed by the launcher and reflector to a gaussian-like focal spot in the far field. Small fractions of other modes were found to form distinct focal spots in the far field. Analysis of the power in the other focal spots allows for a good quantitative measurement of gyrotron output mode content, potentially on a single shot basis.     

High-Efficient Mode Converter for ITER Gyrotron

A high-efficiency mode converter of the ITER gyrotron operating mode into the Gaussian wave beam has been developed. It includes an irradiating waveguide with shallow deformation and profiled quasi-optical mirrors to increase the Gaussian content. Low-power tests were carried out with a TE_25.10 mode exciter and a mode converter. A prototype of the short-pulsed 170 GHz gymtmn with the new converter was manufactured and tested. Diffraction losses measured inside the tube were less then 2% at the 1 MW power level. A high Gaussian mode content in the output beam has been also demonstrated.     

Rippled wall mode converters for circular waveguide

We present the general theory of rippled wall mode converters. Coupling coefficients for TE and TM waves, of both fixed and rotating polarizations, are calculated. The waveguide ripples considered may be axisymmetric, fluted or helical. We describe in detail a 97% efficient TE₀₄/TE₀₁ converter designed for use with a 35 GHz gyrotron. Cold test results confirm its performance.     

Coefficients de couplage entre modes dans un guide d’ondes circulaire légèrement déformé

The knowledge of the coupling coefficients in a slightly non cylindrical waveguide is very important because it is the first step in the calculation of the additional attenuation of TE ₀₁ mode due to the perturbation. In practice, it is quite impossible to get a perfectly cylindrical waveguide because of the limits of mechanical accuracy in the manufacturing process. A calculation method of the coupling coefficients is given in this paper and it leads to expression which have been already published, but using a different method. Ideal metallic waveguide, lined waveguide and helix waveguide are considered : in the third case it is shown that the method gives a quite general expression, which can be reduced in a simplified one, already published, in the particular case of the TE ₀₁ mode.     

Mode selective directional couplers for overmoded waveguide systems

Two types of directional couplers for transverse electric (TE) modes are described: short and multihole couplers, respectively. They selectively pick one mode out of a mode mixture in an overmoded circular waveguide system. Unwanted modes are either statistically kept at low level or are suppressed by destructive interference in the coupling waveguide. Mode selectivity and directivity in multihole couplers oscillate up and down with an increasing number of holes, finally reaching a minimum of approximately 20 dB, unless there are competing modes with rational fractions of the beat wavelength. A multihole coupler for the TE₀₂ mode (28 GHz, 63.4 mm waveguide diameter, 41 holes) and a length of 1.6 m shows a calculated directivity of 68 dB and suppresses the unwanted modes TE₀₁ with 34 dB (24 dB), TE₂₂ with 37 dB (45 dB), and further modes TE_?m (?<5, m<6) with 17 dB to 34 dB in forward direction (figures in parentheses are for unwanted modes propagating in backward direction). A short directional coupler for the TE₀₁ mode (28 GHz, 63.4 mm waveguide diameter) with 16 holes and a length of 230 mm shows a directivity of 55 to 100 dB between 27.9 and 28.1 GHz, suppressing the TE₀₂ mode with 35 to 80 dB, the TE₀₃ mode with 30 to 65 dB, and the TE₂₂ mode with 30 to 70 dB.     

Mode converters from TEom ○ to TE m0 □ for high-power applications in the frequency range 1 to 30 GHz

A mode converter is described for transitions from circular symmetric modes TE_om ^○ to rectangular waveguide modes TE _m0 ^□ and vice versa. This converter conserves the power of all circular symmetric modes emitted by a gyrotron and aligns the fields into linearly polarized modes required for effective plasma heating. Suitable combinations of waveguide diameter and number of sectors dividing (or combining) the power avoid the excitation of unwanted modes.     

Design of a Quasi-Optical Mode Converter for a Frequency Step-Tunable Gyrotron

The quasi-optical mode converter for a frequency step-tunable gyrotron which consists of a dimpled-wall antenna (Denisov-type launcher) and a beam-forming mirror system has been optimized for 9 modes from TE_17,6 at 105 GHz to TE_23,8 at 143 GHz. The first mirror is a large quasi-elliptical focusing one; the second and third are phase-correcting mirrors with a non-quadratic shape of the surface. The results of calculations show that for these modes the Denisov-type launcher has a well-focused beam with low diffraction losses, and the radiation pattern presents an almost identical field shape for all modes considered. A multi-mode optimization of the phase-correcting mirrors with two different methods has been tested. The simulations show that the phase-correcting mirrors can be used for broadband operation in the frequency range from 105 GHz up to 143 GHz in the various design modes. This quasi-optical mode converter can achieve efficiencies of 94%-98% for converting the rotating high-order cylindrical cavity modes into the usable fundamental Gaussian mode.     

Investigation of a Broadband Quasi-Optical Mode Converter for a Multi-Frequency 1 MW Gyrotron

A broadband quasi-optical (QO) mode converter for a multi-frequency gyrotron has been designed and tested at Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (FZK). The launcher is optimized for the TE_22,8 mode at 140 GHz, but the radiated beams present an almost identically focused pattern for all 9 considered modes between 105 GHz (TE_17,6) and 143 GHz (TE_23,8). Combining with a beam-forming mirror system, which consists of a quasi-elliptical mirror and two phase-correcting mirrors with non-quadratic surface contour, further calculations show that efficiencies of more than 94% have been achieved for converting the rotating high-order cylindrical cavity modes into the usable fundamental Gaussian mode. Low power (cold) measurements show a good agreement with theoretical predictions. This QO mode converter can be used for the broadband operation of a multi-frequency 1 MW gyrotron.     

High power mode conversion for linearly polarized HE11 hybrid mode output

Efficient plasma heating by ECR-wave irradiation requires axisymmetric, narrow, pencil-like millimetre wave beams with well-defined polarization. The linearly polarized gaussian-like HE₁₁, mode satisfies these conditions best. This quasi-optical hybrid mode can be generated from TE_0n gyrotron mode compositions by the two multi-step mode conversion processes: (1) ΣTE_0n to TE₀₁ to TE₁₁ to HE₁₁ or (2) ΣTE_0n to TE₀₁ to TM₁₁ to HE₁₁. The first scheme has the advantage that the converters can all be made without bends, allowing an arbitrary choice and fast change of the polarization plane. The second scheme does not exhibit this advantage, but it is more suitable at very high frequencies (e.g. 140GHz) because efficient TE₀₁-to-TM₁₁ transducers can be made considerably shorter than serpentine TE₀₁-to-TE₁₁ mode converters. This paper presents computations on mode converter systems of the first type at 70GHz and of both types at 140GHz (ID = 27 · 8 mm for 200kW transmission lines). The structure of wall perturbations (phase-matched superposition of 2 or 3 different geometrical periods) in the rippled wall mode converters and the curvature distribution in the bent, smooth-walled TE₀₁-to-TM₁₁ mode transducer were optimized by numerically solving the corresponding coupled-mode differential equations. Computer-aided optimization of circumferentially corrugated mode converters has been achieved with a scattering matrix code employing the modal field expansion technique (modular analysis concept (MAC)). In all cases the predicted overall efficiency of the complete mode converter system from ΣTE_0n (predominantly TE₀₂ at 70GHz or TE₀₃ at 140GHz) to HE₁₁ in the desired polarization is approximately 95% at 70GHz and 92% at 140GHz (ohmic attenuation is included). Low-power measurements on the conversion efficiency of the various mode transducers are in excellent agreement with the predicted values. High-power operation has been successfully demonstrated using a pulsed 70GHz gyrotron (200kW, 100ms).