Cyclotron Harmonic Interaction Research Articles

A study of sub-terahertz and terahertz gyrotron oscillators

We present a theoretical study on some of the key physics issues associated with over-moded, sub-terahertz, and terahertz (THz) gyrotron oscillators. Simulations of a large number of fundamental and second cyclotron harmonic modes yield a broad database for physics observations as well as a test of relevant scaling laws. Linear properties over a broad magnetic field range exhibit a number of interesting trends. Nonlinearly, despite the possibility of multimode excitation, each mode is found to exist as a dominant single mode in a narrow magnetic field range, and a significant fraction of these modes are due to second cyclotron harmonic interactions. The wall resistivity, while a relatively minor concern for sub-terahertz gyrotrons, is shown to play a radically different role in the THz regime. It affords a linear advantage to the harmonic modes while also significantly degrading their output efficiencies. These results are interpreted in terms of the nature of harmonic mode competition and the scaling laws for the cavity quality factors.

Competition between Harmonic Cyclotron Maser Interactions in the Terahertz Regime

Cyclotron harmonic interactions are a key physics issue of critical importance to the generation of terahertz radiation via the electron cyclotron maser instability for practical magnetic field strengths. We present an inherent mechanism, as well as a deciding factor, which governs the competition between low- and high-harmonic interactions. Multimode simulations reveal the physical process in which a significant advantage develops for the lower-harmonic interaction, which eventually dominates in the fully nonlinear stage. The results also suggest a start-up scenario for persistent higher-harmonic operation.

Anomalous Doppler resonant interaction of runaway electrons with lower hybrid waves in the HT-7 tokamak

Due to the decrease of the relativistic cyclotron frequency and increase of the Larmor radius with an increase in runaway electron energy, cyclotron harmonic interaction between runaway electrons and lower hybrid waves (LHWs) may occur. In this paper, the anomalous Doppler resonance interaction between runaway electrons and launched LHWs has been investigated in the HT-7 tokamak.

Quasilinear description of radiofrequency-induced radial diffusion

We derive the bounce-averaged quasilinear (QL) operator in axisymmetric toroidal geometry using the standard QL formalism. When specialized to resonant ion cyclotron harmonic interactions, this operator predicts the same radiofrequency-induced radial diffusion as the orbit-averaged operator (Eriksson and Helander 1994 Phys. Plasmas 1 308) obtained using action-angle variables. By assuming the wave field known as a superposition of toroidal and poloidal Fourier modes, the QL diffusion coefficients are written in a form which can be directly evaluated using the output of a spectral full-wave solver of Maxwell equations in toroidal plasmas.

Absolute instabilities in a high-order-mode gyrotron traveling-wave amplifier

The absolute instability is a subject of considerable physics interest as well as a major source of self-oscillations in the gyrotron traveling-wave amplifier (gyro-TWT). We present a theoretical study of the absolute instabilities in a TE01 mode, fundamental cyclotron harmonic gyro-TWT with distributed wall losses. In this high-order-mode circuit, absolute instabilities arise in a variety of ways, including overdrive of the operating mode, fundamental cyclotron harmonic interactions with lower-order modes, and second cyclotron harmonic interaction with a higher-order mode. The distributed losses, on the other hand, provide an effective means for their stabilization. The combined configuration thus allows a rich display of absolute instability behavior together with the demonstration of its control. We begin with a study of the field profiles of absolute instabilities, which exhibit a range of characteristics depending in large measure upon the sign and magnitude of the synchronous value of the propagation constant. These profiles in turn explain the sensitivity of oscillation thresholds to the beam and circuit parameters. A general recipe for oscillation stabilization has resulted from these studies and its significance to the current TE01 -mode, 94-GHz gyro-TWT experiment at UC Davis is discussed.

Mode selective properties of coaxial gyrotron resonators

In this paper, the mode-selective properties of coaxial gyrotron resonators are discussed for different cavity configurations. Expressions are derived for the ohmic loading of a coaxial conductor with longitudinal corrugations where the RF field inside the corrugations is fully taken into account, and for the diffractive quality factor in coaxial cavities with tapered inner conductor relative to that of an empty cylindrical cavity. The competing action of a kind of "surface mode" that appears in corrugated structures is investigated by considering its diffractive and ohmic quality factors. Additional mode competition problems that can arise in coaxial cavities with corrugated inner conductor due to second cyclotron harmonic interaction are investigated and solutions to the problem are proposed.

Excitation of lower hybrid waves by a gyrating ion beam in a magnetized plasma cylinder

A long plasma cylinder with uniform density supports lower hybrid modes. In the presence of an energetic gyrating ion beam these modes are driven unstable via cyclotron harmonic interaction. A nonlocal theory of this process has been developed. It is seen that the modes with wavefunction maximum at the location of the beam possess a large growth rate. The instability frequency is close to the ion plasma frequency.

Theory and Numerical Modeling of a Compact Low-Field High-Frequency Gyrotron

The electron-cyclotron maser interaction provides an extremely efficient means of generating high-power radiation in the millimeter and submillimeter regimes. For devices where both high frequencies and low magnetic fields are required, high cyclotron-harmonic interactions must be considered. We present here a finear and nonlinear analysis of a TE/sub m11/ whispering-gallery-mode gyrotron. Resonances at the mth and (m +- 1)th cyclotron harmonic are found. The start oscillation condition is calculated from linear theory for a wide range of parameters. Maximum efficiency for different beam and cavity conditions is calculated with a fully relativistic numerical simulation code. High efficiencies, >35 percent, have been found at the mth cyclotron harmonic. The effect on the efficiency of an initial velocity spread in the electron beam has also been considered.

Theory and Simulation of the Gyrotron Traveling Wave Amplifier Operating at Cyclotron Harmonics

An analytical expresion for the efficiency of the gyrotron traveling wave amplifier is derived for the case of nonfundamental cyclotron harmonic interaction. It scales the efficiency with respect to the modes and parameters of operation. This relation, together with a general linear dispersion relation, also derived in the present paper, gives the characteristics and optimum operation conditions of the gyrotron traveling wave amplifier.

Cyclotron Harmonic Resonances in the Frequency Conversion Output Power of a Plasma

Electron cyclotron harmonic resonances have been found in the second harmonic and sum frequency powers emerging from an electrodeless helium discharge. The resonances are due to cyclotron harmonic interactions with the incident waves followed by frequency conversion.