Gyrotron development in the framework of the European Fusion Programme

Electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) has proven to be an attractive technique to be used for a number of applications in the field of controlled thermonuclear research. In 1983, the European Fusion Programme launched a development programme on gyrotrons aiming ultimately at the realization, in an industrial environment, of a gyrotron operating at high frequency (∼ 100 GHz), with sufficient power (200 KW) and efficiency and capable of CW operation by 1988 and to explore the possibilities at even higher frequency (up to 150 GHz) using advanced concepts. The first stage of this programme is based on three complementary developments: (1) The industrial development of a l00 GHz, 100 ms, 200 kW gyrotron awarded to Thomson-CSF and completely financed by the Commission is now well underway (power level in excess of 100 KW for 10–20 ms). (2) The development of a very high frequency advanced gyrotron carried out at the CRPP Lausanne (Ass. EURATOM-Etat Suisse) aiming initially at a source of 120 GHZ, 100 ms a...