Microwave Journal
www.microwavejournal.com/articles/39907-tetrode-test-stand-supports-future-fusion-plasma-devices
Tetrode-4-4-23.jpg

Tetrode Test Stand Supports Future Fusion Plasma Devices

April 4, 2023

A new solid-state amplifier that drives a tetrode final power amplifier (FPA) to achieve 120 MHz for multi-megawatt ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) plasma heating sources to support future fusion devices has been introduced by Diversified Technologies, Inc. (DTI) of Bedford, Mass.

The DTI Tetrode Test Stand for Fusion Plasmas is a solid-state amplifier that drives the FPA to achieve a 2.3 MW for short pulse (<1 ms) for ICRF. Multi-megawatt ICRF systems that operate between 60 to 120 MHz support future fusion devices which provide a high magnetic field for plasma confinement and, therefore, have greater plasma resonance frequencies.

Permitting analysis with a network analyzer on the actual FPA stand to explore existing cavity frequency ranges and guides, several design, modify and measure iterations of the output cavities were performed to operate the transmitter up to 120 MHz. The Tetrode Test Stand for Fusion Plasmas led to a significantly smaller output cavity design.

The DTI Tetrode Test Stand for Fusion Plasmas is priced from $1,000,000 up, depending upon construction.