A high-power pulsed gyrotron is under development for 300 GHz-band collective Thomson scattering (CTS) diagnostics in the Large Helical Device (LHD). High-density plasmas in the LHD require a probe wave with power exceeding 100 kW in the sub-terahertz region to obtain sufficient signal intensity and large scattering angles. At the same time, the frequency bandwidth should be less than several tens of megahertz to protect the CTS receiver using a notch filter against stray radiations. Moreover, duty cycles of ∼ 10% are desired for the time domain analysis of the CTS spectrum.At present, a 77 GHz gyrotron for electron cyclotron heating is used as a CTS wave source in the LHD. However, the use of such a low-frequency wave suffers from refraction, cutoff and absorption at the electron cyclotron resonance layer. Additionally, the signal detection is severely affected by background noise from electron cyclotron emission. To resolve those problems, highpower gyrotrons in the 300 GHz range have been developed.In this frequency range, avoiding mode competition is critical to realizing high-power and stable oscillation. A moderately over-moded cavity was investigated to isolate a desired mode from neighbouring modes. After successful tests with a prototype tube, the practical one was constructed with a cavity for TE 22,2 operation mode, a triode electron gun forming intense laminar electron beams, and an internal mode convertor. We have experimentally confirmed single mode oscillation of the TE 22,2 mode at the frequency of 303.3 GHz. The spectrum peak is sufficiently narrow. The output power of 290 kW has been obtained at the moment.

A high-power pulse gyrotron was developed to generate a probe wave for 300 GHz-band collective Thomson scattering (CTS) diagnostics in the Large Helical Device. In this frequency range, avoiding mode competition is critical to realizing high-power and stable oscillation with a narrow frequency bandwidth. A moderately over-moded cavity was investigated to ensure sufficient isolation of a desired mode from neighbouring modes, and to achieve high power output simultaneously. A cavity with the TE 14,2 operation mode, a triode electron gun with an intense laminar electron beam, and an internal mode convertor were designed to construct a prototype tube. It was experimentally observed that oscillation of the TE 14,2 mode was strong enough for mode competition, and provided high power with sufficient stability. The oscillation characteristics associated with the electron beam properties were compared with the numerical characteristics to find an optimum operating condition. As a result, single-mode operation with maximum output power of 246 kW was demonstrated at 294 GHz with 65 kV/14 A electron beam, yielding efficiency of ∼27%. The radiation pattern was confirmed to be highly Gaussian. The duration of the 130 kW pulse, which is presently limited by the power supply, was extended up to 30 µs. The experimental results validate our design concept and indicate the potential for realizing a gyrotron with higher power and longer pulse toward practical use in 300 GHz CTS diagnostics.

A high-power sub-THz gyrotron is under development as a power source of collective Thomson scattering diagnostic of fusion plasmas. It operates at a fundamental harmonic frequency of 295 GHz. A cavity which realizes stable and efficient single mode oscillation, an electron gun with an intense laminar electron beam, and an internal mode convertor are designed. A maximum oscillation power of 234 kW is achieved with a Gaussian like radiation pattern. The duration of 130 kW pulse is extended up to 30 microseconds, which is limited by the configuration of power supply.

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A high-power sub-THz gyrotron is under development as a power source of collective Thomson scattering diagnostic of fusion plasmas. It operates at a fundamental harmonic frequency of 295 GHz. A cavity which realizes stable and efficient single mode oscillation, an electron gun with an intense laminar electron beam, and an internal mode convertor are designed. A maximum oscillation power of 234 kW is achieved with a Gaussian like radiation pattern. The duration of 130 kW pulse is extended up to 30 microseconds, which is limited by the configuration of power supply.