On October 1, a new gyrotron, capable of delivering up to 1 MW of power at a frequency of 105 GHz, was delivered and installed on WEST’s ECRH heating platform.
The gyrotron has not been qualified yet on a test stand. The qualification will be carried out entirely on the CEA platform with the support of European Experts and THALES.
The inital tests will consist of determining the operational parameters to demonstrate a power output of 1 MW at a frequency of 105 GHz using a short-pulse calorimeter.
Subsequently, the beam pattern will be characterized in free space with an Infra Red camera. The beam deviation data along the direction of propagation will be used to align the mirrors of the Matching Optic Unit housing.
After those two essential steps the gyrotron will be connected to the transmission line and the new RF dummy load for the commissioning of the gyrotron but also the dummy load.
Thoses experiments will take place before the end of 2025. The gyrotron will be operational for plasma experiment in early 2026.
of the gyrotron and a short pulse calorimeter
Lena Delpech