Folded waveguide coupler for ion cyclotron heating

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5726943

Owens, T L; Chen, G L

A new type of waveguide coupler for plasma heating in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies is described. The coupler consists of a series of interleaved metallic vanes within a rectangular enclosure analogous to a wide rectangular waveguide that has been ''folded'' several times. At the mouth of the coupler, a plate is attached which contains coupling apertures in each fold or every other fold of the waveguide, depending upon the wavenumber spectrum desired. This plate serves primarily as a wave field polarizer that converts coupler fields to the polarization of the fast magnetosonic wave within the plasma. Theoretical estimates indicate that the folded waveguide is capable of high-efficiency, multimegawatt operation into a plasma. Bench tests have verified the predicted field structure within the waveguide in preparation for high-power tests on the Radio Frequency Test Facility at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

• Research Organization: McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co., St. Louis, MO (USA); Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5726943
• Report Number(s): CONF-860652-6; ON: DE86012230
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700205* -- Fusion Power Plant Technology-- Fuel
Heating
& Injection Systems
ANTENNAS
COUPLING
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
EQUIPMENT
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
ICR HEATING
MICROWAVE EQUIPMENT
MICROWAVE RADIATION
PLASMA HEATING
RADIATIONS
TEST FACILITIES