Operation of a large-orbit high-harmonic multicavity gyroklystronamplifier

An experimental four-cavity, fifth-harmonic gyroklystron is described that separates at 11.3 GHz in a 1.2-KG magnetic field. This device used longer drift regions than previous configurations. Principal results reported include 45 dB of small-signal gain and 0.6 kW of output power. Other results include the measurement of phase noise characteristics and the identification of spurious output signals. An improved beam diagnostic which determines the pitch of the electron orbits was used together with a fluorescent uranium-glass witness plate and beam-current diagnostics to characterize the electron beam. This information was used to perform analytic modelling and computer simulation of the amplifier. The experimental results are compared with the predictions of the analytic theory and simulation, and substantial agreement is demonstrated     

Electron temperature fluctuation in the HT-7 Tokamak plasma observed by electron cyclotron emission imaging

The fluctuation of the electron temperature has been measured by using the electron cyclotron emission imaging in the Hefei Tokamak-7 (HT-7) plasma. The electron temperature fluctuation with a broadband spectrum shows that it propagates in the electron diamagnetic drift direction, and the mean poloidal wave-number $\bar{k}_{\theta}$is calculated to be about 1.58 cm^-1, or \bar{k}_θ ρ_s≈ 0.34. It indicates that the fluctuation should come from the electron drift wave turbulence. The linear global scaling of the electron temperature fluctuation with the gradient of electron temperature is consistent with the mixing length scale qualitatively. Evolution of spectrum of the fluctuation during the sawtooth oscillation phases is investigated, and the fluctuation is found to increase with the gradient of electron temperature increasing during most phases of the sawtooth oscillation. The results indicate that the electron temperature gradient is probably the driver of the fluctuation enhancement. The steady heat flux driven by electron temperature fluctuation is estimated and compared with the results from power balance estimation.     

New concedpts for high frequency and high power frequency multipliers and their impact on quasi-optical monolithic array design

Varactors have been extensively employed for harmonic generation, where high cut-off frequency is dependent upon small C _min , which is typically achieved using small device active area. However, small area limits the output power. Furthermore, the power and frequency dependences of the series resistance in the epitaxial region degrade the efficiency and cut-off frequency as well. As a result, currently utilized varactors are only officient for relatively low power generation and limited output frequency. Herein, we describe our new approach where by epitaxially stacking single quantum barrier structures, more than an order of magnitude improvement in cut-off frequency and power handling ability may be possible. Alternatively, by combining a Schottky barrier with stacked single quantum barriers, superior performance can also be achieved. These concepts can be readily employed for quasi-optical frequency multiplier arrays, and appear to result in simplified fabrication compared to other devices.The design of high performance quasi optical arrays requires optimization of the passive (metalization) grid as well as the embedded semiconductor devices. Recent work has resulted in an improved impedance model for the standard diode-loaded strip array, including a quantitative estimate of the shunt capacitance introduced across the diode by the discontinuity of the metal strip at the diode site (gap). The value of this capacitance exceeds the predictedC _min for these new devices. We discuss two grid design approaches that can suppress this capacitance.     

Two-dimensional visualization of growth and burst of the edge-localized filaments in KSTAR H-mode plasmas

The filamentary nature and dynamics of edge-localized modes (ELMs) in the KSTAR high-confinement mode plasmas have been visualized in 2D via electron cyclotron emission imaging. The ELM filaments rotating with a net poloidal velocity are observed to evolve in three distinctive stages: initial linear growth, interim quasisteady state, and final crash. The crash is initiated by a narrow fingerlike perturbation growing radially from a poloidally elongated filament. The filament bursts through this finger, leading to fast and collective heat convection from the edge region into the scrape-off layer, i.e., ELM crash.     

Stable high-power TE01 gyro-TWT amplifiers

The stability of high power gyro-TWT amplifiers operating in the low-loss TE₀₁ mode of cylindrical waveguide has been studied, Linear theory has been used to determine the threshold start-oscillation beam current for absolute instability in the operating mode and the critical section lengths for the dominant gyro-BWO interactions occurring at various cyclotron harmonics in other waveguide modes. The performance of the amplifier was evaluated with a nonlinear, self-consistent slow-timescale simulation code. Utilizing interaction sections whose lengths are less than the threshold start-oscillation length and are separated by attenuating severs for isolation, two stable three-section devices have been designed which are predicted to yield: (1) a peak output power of 230 kW at 35 GHz with an efficiency of 23%, a saturated gain of 46 dB and a constant-drive bandwidth of 6% for a 100 kV, 10 A electron beam with an α=ν_⊥ /ν_z =1.0 and an axial velocity spread Δν_z/ν_z=5% and (2) 105 kW at 94 GHz with 21% efficiency, 45 dB saturated gain and 5% constant-drive bandwidth for a similar 5 A electron beam. In addition, the design of the 0 dB input/output couplers and the MIG electron gun are given. Due to the low loss of the TE₀₁ mode, both of these amplifiers can be operated continuously     

Operation of a high-harmonic gyrofrequency multiplier

The operation of a sixth-harmonic gyrofrequency multiplier is described. The initial experimental results produced 3.5 kW of 17.23 GHz radiation from a 260 keV, 0.3 A, =v/v=4.8 axis-encircling electron beam in a near uniform magnetic field. The output cavity conversion efficiency was measured at 4.5% compared to the predicted value of 8% from a nonlinear simulation code. The design for a higher power, higher efficiency device utilizing magnetic tapering is also presented.     

Monolithic watt-level millimeter-wave diode-grid frequency tripler array

Thousands of solid-state diodes are monolithically integrated by a metal grid as a highly efficient frequency multiplier which promises watt-level CW output power throughout the millimeter and submillimeter wave region. Different devices such as GaAs Schottky diode, thin MOS diode, and GaAs Barrier-Intrinsic-N⁺ diode are employed in this study. The approach also results in low-cost fabication and small-size realization.     

Quantum chromodynamics results from HERA and JLAB

Recent QCD results from electron?Cproton interactions at HERA and JLAB are presented. Inclusive cross-section measurements as well as studies of the hadronic final state like jet production or the production of heavy quarks are discussed. The results are compared with perturbative QCD predictions and their impact on the determination of the parton density functions of the proton as well as of the strong coupling ?? _s is discussed.     

Density gradient stabilization of electron temperature gradient driven turbulence in a spherical tokamak

In this Letter we report the first clear experimental observation of density gradient stabilization of electron temperature gradient driven turbulence in a fusion plasma. It is observed that longer wavelength modes, k(⊥)ρ(s) ? 10, are most stabilized by density gradient, and the stabilization is accompanied by about a factor of 2 decrease in the plasma effective thermal diffusivity.     

Effect of heating on the suppression of tearing modes in tokamaks

The suppression of (neoclassical) tearing modes is of great importance for the success of future fusion reactors like ITER. Electron cyclotron waves can suppress islands, both by driving noninductive current in the island region and by heating the island, causing a perturbation to the Ohmic plasma current. This Letter reports on experiments on the TEXTOR tokamak, investigating the effect of heating, which is usually neglected. The unique set of tools available on TEXTOR, notably the dynamic ergodic divertor to create islands with a fully known driving term, and the electron cyclotron emission imaging diagnostic to provide detailed 2D electron temperature information, enables a detailed study of the suppression process and a comparison with theory.