High-efficiency, long-pulse operation of MW-level dual-frequency gyrotron, 84/126GHz, for the TCV Tokamak

The first unit of the dual-frequency gyrotron, 84-126GHz/1MW/2s, for the upgrade of the TCV ECH system has been delivered and is presently being commissioned. During a first phase, long-pulse operation (TRF>0.5s) has been achieved and powers in excess of 0.93MW/1.1s and 1MW/1.2s have been measured in the evacuated RF-load at the two frequencies, 84GHz (TE17,5 mode) and 126GHz (TE26,7 mode), respectively. Considering the different rf losses in the experimental setup, the power level generated in the gyrotron cavity is in excess of 1.1MW and 1.2MW, with a corresponding electronic efficiency of 35% and 36%. These values are in excellent agreement with the design parameters and would likely lead to a gyrotron total efficiency higher than 50% in case of implementation of a depressed collector. The gyrotron behavior is remarkably reliable and robust with the pulse length extension to 2s presently only limited by external auxiliary systems.