Power Supply for Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating

Tokamak fusion reactors require highly reliable auxiliary heating systems that are efficient and easy to maintain, in order to provide maximum reactor availability at the lowest operating cost. The existing transmitter design, used in virtually all of the major fusion experiments in the U.S. in the last 25 years, is based on 1970s technology, and the latest generation of fusion experiments have stretched these transmitters to their limit in terms of delivering multi-megawatts of RF power reliably. A significant opportunity exists for advancing transmitter technology using an integrated solid-state opening switch package. In this project, an upgraded transmitter will be designed. Phase I will identify recent advances in high-power solid-state electronics and advanced digital control and implement these advances in the upgraded transmitter design. Phase II will involve the building and testing of these upgrades. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Beyond the application to fusion systems, the controls and subsystems developed under this effort also should improve the reliability, efficiency, and performance of existing long-pulse CW transmitters. Applications include commercial broadcast transmitters, high energy accelerators, high power radar transmitters, and industrial RF applications in drying, curing, and related processes.