From series production of gyrotrons for W7-X towards EU-1 MW gyrotrons for ITER

Abstract

Europe is spending significant joint efforts to develop and to manufacture MW-level gyrotrons for electron cyclotron heating and current drive (ECRH&CD) of future plasma experiments. The two most important are the stellarator Wendelstein W7-X at Greifswald [1] and the tokamak ITER at Cadarache [2]. While the series production of the 140 GHz, 1 MW, CW gyrotrons for the 10 MW ECRH system of stellarator W7-X [3] is proceeding, the European GYrotron Consortium (EGYC) is presently developing the EU-1 MW, 170 GHz, CW gyrotron for ITER. The initial design had already been initiated in 2007, as a risk mitigation measure during the development of the advanced ITER EU-2 MW coaxial-cavity gyrotron. The target of the ITER EU-1 MW design is to benefit as much as possible from the experiences made during the development and series production of the W7-X gyrotrons and of the experiences gained from the EU-2 MW coaxial-cavity gyrotron design [4], which has been put on hold by end of 2012. During 2012, the scientific designs of the ITER EU-1 MW gyrotron components have been finalized. In collaboration with the industrial partner Thales Electron Devices (TED), France, the industrial design of the technological parts of the gyrotron is being completed. A short-pulse prototype is under development to support the design of the CW prototype tube. The technological path towards the EU ITER-1MW gyrotron and the final design will be presented.