Test results of X2242 and X2274 high power tetrodes with the JT-60 ICRF amplifier in a frequency range of 110–130 MHz

• Published in: Fusion engineering and design 1992-07, Vol.19 (1), p.41-52
• Main Authors: Moriyama, Shinichi, Ogawa, Yoshiro, Fujii, Tsuneyuki, Anno, Katsuto, Shinozaki, Shin-ichi, Terakado, Masayuki, Kimura, Haruyuki, Saigusa, Mikio, Nagashima, Takashi, Ohta, Mitsuru, Remsen, Douglas B., Loring, C.Marshall, Mcnees, S.G., Oihara, Ken, Yamane, Takayoshi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Physics; Physics of gases, plasmas and electric discharges; Physics of plasmas and electric discharges; Plasma production and heating
• ISSN: 0920-3796; 1873-7196
• DOI: 10.1016/0920-3796(92)90062-9

This paper reports the test results of newly developed Varian tetrodes, X2242 and X2274, using a JT-60 ICRF amplifier under the US-Japan collaboration program. The JT-60 ICRF amplifier was designed to deliver 0.75 MW at 110 to 131 MHz with the Varian EIMAC 8973 tetrode. Although the new tetrodes are similar to the 8973 in all dimensions, they have pyrolitic graphite grids for higher screen and control grid dissipation capability. The new tetrodes require only the following amplifier system modifications: (a) new filament, bias, and screen grid power supplies, (b) a second output port for reduction of rf voltage in the output cavity. The objective for the tests are to confirm 1.5 MW output at 130 MHz for 5 seconds, and to check the reliability of both the tube and the amplifier with a mismatched load which simulates power transmission to an antenna coupled to the plasma. The first test with an X2242 demonstrates that excessive screen dissipation limits the output power. The second test with an X2274, whose improved screen grid reduces rf heating to 50% of that of the X2242, achieves 1.7 MW at 131 MHz for 5.4 seconds. This is not only a power higher than the objective but also the highest long pulse VHF power level for fusion research above 110 MHz. The modified amplifier with the X2274 also shows good, stable performance in the mismatched load tests. As the theory predicts, the maximum anode dissipation is 1.4 times higher with a VSWR = 1.5 than with the previous VSWR ≅ 1.0.