Improved Controls for Fusion RF Systems

Radio frequency (RF) heating systems are important components of plasma fusion facilities. The increasing scale of present and planned fusion experiments requires a similar increase in the scale of these RF systems, usually involving multiple RF sources. The controls for these systems must manage numerous fault scenarios, monitor key signals, and interconnect key power systems, in order to provide the necessary functionality. At the same time, pressures of cost, space, reliability, and safety are key concerns with respect to the operation of the facility. The modernization of all such subsystems is a necessary step in the march toward a fusion demonstration plant. This effort will target the transmitter protection circuits for a tokamak Lower Hybrid Current Drive (LHCD) RF system. In particular, the Alcator C-Mod tokamak LHCD experiment will be targeted, and the modernization will coincide with the upcoming expansion of its LHCD system. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The immediate beneficiary of this technology would be the Alcator C-Mod facility, which could use the upgraded transmitter protection system beginning with the 2009 run campaign with the expanded LHCD system. Longer term, other non-fusion applications that use multiple arrays (such as phased array radars) could be potential users of the technology.