Fusion Science and Technology; Diagnostics for Magnetic Fusion Plasma Research

The primary obstacle to greater scientific and commercial exploitation of the terahertz frequency band (spanning from about 100 GHz through 10 THz) is the lack of sources that generate sufficient power, are frequency tunable, and are sufficiently reliable, compact, and affordable. This project will develop and demonstrate all-solid-state millimeter-wave sources for the Low Field Side Reflectometer on ITER, a major international program to demonstrate the feasibility of power generation by nuclear fusion. These new sources will be based on a proprietary integrated diode circuit technology, and will achieve fundamentally improved output power and tuning bandwidth. Innovations will include the use of new circuit designs, materials to improve power handling, and feedback control to improve frequency agility without degrading output power. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The new sources should become the driver modules that will create fundamentally improved sources throughout the entire terahertz frequency band. In addition to the fusion application, the new sources should be immediately useful for a wide range of scientific applications, as well as for a growing array of emerging commercial applications for millimeter wave technology.