Design and testing of a 5GHz TE10–TE30 mode converter mock-up for the lower hybrid antenna proposed for ITER

Julien Hillairet (1) , Joëlle Achard (1) , Stéphane Rasio (1) , Bernard Soler (1) , Cyril Brun (1)

1 IRFM - Institut de Recherche sur la Fusion par confinement Magnétique

The design and overall dimensions of a 5 GHz TE$_{10}$–TE$_{30}$ mode converter are presented. This mode converter is a RF element of a 20 MW CW lower hybrid system proposed for ITER. A low power mock-up of this device has been manufactured at CEA/IRFM and measured at low power. RF measurements indicate a return loss of 40 dB and a transmission loss of 4.78 dB ± 0.03 dB for the three outputs. The forward conversion efficiency from TE$_{10}$ mode to TE$_{30}$ has been measured from electric field probing to 99.9%. The good RF performances obtained validate the RF design of this element.

Domains: Plasmas; Electromagnetism; Plasma Physics [physics.plasm-ph]

Julien Hillairet, Joëlle Achard, Stéphane Rasio, Bernard Soler, Cyril Brun. Design and testing of a 5GHz TE10–TE30 mode converter mock-up for the lower hybrid antenna proposed for ITER. Fusion Engineering and Design, 2012, 87 (3), pp.275-280. ⟨10.1016/j.fusengdes.2012.01.007⟩. ⟨cea-02459704⟩