High Efficiency Mode Converter for Low-Frequency Gyrotron

A high efficiency quasi-optical (QO) mode converter for high-power, low-frequency gyrotron have been designed and tested. For low-frequency gyrotrons, the scales of the mode converter are comparatively small on the wavelength scale, thus causing significant diffraction losses. Over-1 MW power gyrotron with TE_8,3 cavity at 28 GHz have been developed, which has a high efficiency mode converter designed by the use of numerical methods for launcher optimization. This calculation is sufficiently optimized to maximize the fractional Gaussian content of the far field. The total transmission efficiency from the mode converter to output window is 94.7%. For the experimental result of first tube, the output power of more than 1 MW has been obtained with about 40% efficiency and output burn pattern agrees fairly with the calculated profiles, which imply the design appropriateness. Besides, the frequency dependence for diffraction loss is discussed, and these results give the guiding design principle of the mode converter for high-power, low-frequency and long-pulse gyrotrons.     

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.     

110 GHz gyrotron with a built-in high-efficiency converter

A 110 GHz 1 MW pulse gyrotron has been elaborated. A built-in electrodynamic duct consisting of a new type quasi-optical converter and three matching mirrors transforms operating mode TE_15,4 into a gaussian beam going through the output window. The efficiency of the duct (ratio of the gaussian beam power outside the gyrotron to the total microwave power at the output of the cavity) is about 95%. A system consisting of the gyrotron and an outer mirror transmission line is proved to have efficiency (ratio of the microwave power measured by calorimeter at the end of line to the power of the electron beam) more than 40%.     

An improved design for quasi-optical mode conversion of whispering gallery mode gyrotron radiation

Results are reported of a theoretical and experimental investigation of a quasi-optical mode converter for the transformation of whispering gallery mode gyrotron output into a linearly polarized Gaussian like beam. The mode converter consists of a helically cut waveguide launcher, similar to that originally proposed by Vlasovet al, followed by a focusing mirror. Theoretical results using aperture field methods indicate that the length of the waveguide launcher is of critical importance in providing a confined radiation pattern. Experimental results on the radiation pattern were obtained for several launcher lengths using a 0.6 MW, 149 GHz pulsed gyrotron operating in the TE_16,2 mode. Radiation pattern results for the optimum launcher length agree well with theoretical calculations using the Stratton-Chu aperture radiation theory for unperturbed waveguide modes. A mirror focusing in the azimuthal direction was designed by a geometrical optics approach to focus the radiation coming from the launcher. Good focusing with 91.4% efficiency (power in the focused beam divided by gyrotron power) was found experimentally using the combined launcher and mirror with the pulsed gyrotron. These results indicate that quasi-optical antennas are useful for transforming high order, high frequency gyrotron modes into directed beams in free space.     

Characteristics of the mode converter of Gyrotron FU CW GII radiating Gaussian beams in both the fundamental and second harmonic frequency bands

Gyrotron FU CW GII, the second gyrotron of the Gyrotron FU CW G-series with an internal quasi-optical mode converter, was recently developed at the Research Center for Development of Far-Infrared Region, University of Fukui (FIR FU) [Y. Tatematsu et al., J. Infrared, Millimeter, Terahertz Waves 35, 169 (2014)]. The design oscillation mode of this gyrotron is TE_8,3 with a corresponding frequency of 393.4 GHz in the second harmonic cyclotron resonance. We observed oscillations of different modes including fundamental harmonic modes in the 200-GHz band upon varying the strength of the magnetic field in the cavity. Radiation patterns corresponding to these modes emitted from the window were Gaussian although the internal mode converter was designed for the TE_8,3 mode. The directions of the radiated Gaussian beams were found to depend on the oscillation modes with a relation similar to that obtained for another gyrotron that was also equipped with a mode converter. This relation is explained based on geometrical optics. Moreover, numerical calculation with the electromagnetic wave code developed in FIR FU confirmed the same relation. The observed features of the Gyrotron FU CW GII show that it can serve as a unique power source with two frequency bands at 200 and 400 GHz. This result provides a way of developing multiple-frequency gyrotrons.     

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.     

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.     

Development in Russia of Megawatt Power Gyrotrons for Fusion

Tests of the Russian ITER gyrotrons were continued after debugging of the test facility at Kurchatov Institute including the evacuated transmission line and power supplies capable to provide gyrotron CW operation. A new ITER gyrotron (V-10) with upgraded body insulation, liquid cooling system for the DC-break ceramic and improved design of the relief window has been manufactured and is currently under test. A maximal total efficiency near 55% at 1 MW power level was attained. The maximal pulse duration of 1000 s at 0.8 MW power was limited at that time by the test stand. At 1 MW power level the gyrotron V-10 up to now reached a pulse duration of 570 s. An advanced short-pulse (100 ms) gyrotron model operating in the TE_28.12 mode demonstrated a very robust operation at relatively high electron energies (up to 100 keV) necessary to achieve 1.5-2 MW output power. Three double frequency gyrotrons have been delivered to ASDEX Upgrade. The development of a multi-frequency gyrotron with a broadband or tuneable synthetic diamond window is in progress.     

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.     

A rigorous time domain analysis of gyrotrons

A self-consistent time domain analysis of gyrotrons is presented which allows studying multi-mode, multi-frequency operation. The electromagnetic field in the gyrotron cavity is expanded with respect to complete sets of eigenfunctions so that space charge effects are included in the analysis. Two improvements of the modal expansion inside gyrotron cavities are suggested which significantly increase the accuracy and the numerical efficiency of this method, namely, the removal of the non-uniform convergence of some field series at the coupling apertures and the estimation of the asymptotic values of some slowly converging series related to the modal analysis by a moderate number of cavity eigenfunctions. Discrete Fourier transform is used to obtain the time dependence of the electromagnetic field. The electron beam is described by a set of relativistic single particles. It is demonstrated that the strong numerical requirements of the suggested method can be overcome by using a vector computer. Two gyrotrons are investigated, namely, a low Q 35 GHz TE₀₁- and a 150 GHz TE₀₃-gyrotron. Both oscillation build-up and steady state operation are investigated including mode competition and window reflections. The simulations show that the assumption of a monofrequent steady state operation of gyrotrons, which is made by the commonly used frequency domain methods, is not always justified.     

Influence of Possible Reflections on the Operation of European ITER Gyrotrons

The theory describing the influence of reflections on operation of gyrotrons with radial output is used for evaluating the effect of reflections on the operation of the ITER 170 GHz 2 MW coaxial cavity gyrotron, which is under development, and the 170 GHz 1 MW cylindrical cavity gyrotron as a fall back solution.     

RF Behavior of Cylindrical Cavity Based 240 GHz, 1 MW Gyrotron for Future Tokamak System

In this paper, we present the RF behavior of conventional cylindrical interaction cavity for 240 GHz, 1 MW gyrotron for futuristic plasma fusion reactors. Very high-order TE mode is searched for this gyrotron to minimize the Ohmic wall loading at the interaction cavity. The mode selection process is carried out rigorously to analyze the mode competition and design feasibility. The cold cavity analysis and beam-wave interaction computation are carried out to finalize the cavity design. The detail parametric analyses for interaction cavity are performed in terms of mode stability, interaction efficiency and frequency. In addition, the design of triode type magnetron injection gun is also discussed. The electron beam parameters such as velocity ratio and velocity spread are optimized as per the requirement at interaction cavity. The design studies presented here confirm the realization of CW, 1 MW power at 240 GHz frequency at TE_46,17 mode.     

LOW POWER MEASUREMENTS ON THE NEW RF OUTPUT SYSTEM OF A 170 GHZ, 2 MW COAXIAL CAVITY GYROTRON

The design of the quasi optical (q. o.) RF output system for the first industrial prototype of the European 170 GHz, 2 MW, CW coaxial cavity gyrotron for electron cyclotron heating and current drive in ITER has been verified at a low power level. Results of measurements with a high quality TE_34,19-mode generator are in good agreement with the design calculations. This strengthens the confidence both to the employed design codes and to the manufacturing quality of the launcher and mirrors.     

太赫兹宽带Denisov型准光模式变换器的设计分析

研究并设计了一种具有宽频带工作能力的太赫兹准光模式变换器。该准光模式变换器采用具有高效率特性的Denisov 辐射器,工作在TE_6,2模式,用于实现回旋管内的模式变换。由于Denisov 辐射器的参数是影响准光模式变换器宽带性能的主要因素,因此通过对辐射器参数的优化设计,达到增大模式变换器带宽的效果。使用自主开发的准光学模拟程序进行仿真,模式变换器中心频率为94 GHz,带宽达2 GHz。     

System Development and Performance Testing of a W-Band Gyrotron

A high-power W-band gyrotron has been designed and performance tested in Korea, with an output power in the range of tens of kilowatts. The gyrotron consists of a diode-type electron gun operating at 40 kV, a TE6,2 mode interaction cavity, and a mode converter for producing a highly Gaussian output mode beam. Presented here are the detailed component design procedure and the experimental results of the gyrotron’s performance evaluation. A maximum power of 62 kW was achieved with an efficiency of 22 %, and a highly Gaussian output beam was observed. The gyrotron’s output beam is analyzed, and its transmission through an oversized waveguide is discussed. This gyrotron is the first gyrotron developed in Korea with high power greater than 10 kW and high frequency greater than 90 GHz.     

Development of a Compact sub-THz Gyrotron FU CW CI for Application to High Power THz Technologies

For application of high frequency gyrotron to high power THz technology, Gyrotron FU CW series is being developed in FIR FU. Gyrotron FU CW CI is developed as one of sub-THz gyrotrons included in the series. The advantage of the gyrotron is compactness using a compact superconducting magnet and compact power supply system, which makes the accesses of the gyrotron to applied large-scale devices easier and extends the applications of gyrotron to wider fields. The designed frequency and cavity mode are 394.5 GHz and TE₂₆ mode for application to the 600 MHz DNP-NMR spectroscopy. As the operation results, the frequency and the output power were 394.03 GHz and around 30 W, respectively, which are available for the application to the 600 MHz DNP-NMR measurement. In addition, this gyrotron can operate at many other frequencies and cavity modes for application to high power THz technologies in wide fields. In this paper, the design and the operation results including long pulse or CW mode are presented.     

回旋管准光辐射器研究与设计

准光辐射器是高功率回旋管准光模式变换器的重要组成部分.本文首先采用几何光学理论分析圆波导准光辐射器,然后根据高斯波束(TEM00模)在辐射器切口处形成的原因,采用耦合波理论设计波纹波导准光辐射器.通过编写程序并进行数值优化完成140GHz,TE28,8模式回旋管波纹波导准光辐射器的设计,结果表明波纹波导辐射器的总长度仅为205.2mm,切口长度为47.2mm,在辐射器螺旋切口Brillouin区内高斯模式标量相关系数大于98%.本文所用的方法也可用于其它频率和模式的回旋管准光辐射器设计.     

A W-band Third Harmonic Gyrotron with an Iris Cavity

The design and experimental results of a W-band gyrotron operating at the third cyclotron harmonic are presented. The gyrotron is designed to operate at the TE₆₁ mode, which is significantly distinct from competing modes. An iris cavity is employed for the purpose of trapping the third harmonic mode more effectively and lowering its start current. In the experiment, the gyrotron is drived by a triode magnetron injection gun (MIG) which can produce a 45 kV, 3 A electron beam. When maximum axial magnetic field is 1.22 T, a single mode third harmonic gyrotron radiation is observed with the frequency of 94.86 GHz. The maximum output power is 5.5 kW, corresponding to an efficiency of 4%. Another third harmonic mode TE₀₂ is also detected at 88.8 GHz, with maximum output power of 1.5 kW.     

Analysis of a Complete Gyrotron Oscillator Using the Scattering Matrix Description

Complete harmonic gyrotron oscillators in axial arrangement including cavity, uptapers, collector waveguide and output window have been numerically simulated using a scattering matrix resonator code. The output mode purity and the influence of window reflections on the performance of a step-tunable, very high frequency gyrotron, Gyrotron FU IV A, at Fukui University was analyzed.     

Development of 28?GHz and 77?GHz, Mega-Watt Gyrotrons for Fusion Devices

A 28 GHz 1 MW with TE_8,3 cavity for GAMMA10 tandem mirror and a 77 GHz 1.5 MW gyrotron with TE_18,6 for Large Helical Device (LHD) have been developed to upgrade their Electron Cyclotron Heating (ECH) systems. In the 28 GHz gyrotron, the maximum power of 1.05 MW was obtained, which is in agreement with its design target value. And the high efficiency of 40% without collector potential depression (CPD) was obtained with 0.8 MW. In the first and second 77 GHz gyrotrons, 0.8 MW 3.6 sec., 0.3 MW 60 sec operations have been achieved, but several issues due to the stray RF and velocity dispersion have been found, too. In consideration of these, the design improvement was performed to aim at 1.5 MW in the third tube. In the short pulse test, the maximum output power of 1.6 MW and the maximum total efficiency of 49.4% with CPD were obtained. In the long pulse test, the pulse length extended to 5 sec with 1 MW, 1800 sec with 0.1 MW, 1.6 sec with 1.5 MW. Total injection power of 3.1 MW to LHD plasma has been achieved. It is shown that the electron beam pitch factor ?? decreases with increasing of beam current, comparing with the experimental and calculation results.