A gyrotron is a large vacuum electronic device (VED) that generates high-power, high-frequency microwaves. Recently, it has attracted attention for its use in fusion power generation, where it is used to heat the plasma in a reactor to promote fusion reactions.
Gyrotrons generate microwave radiation based on the kinetic energy of electrons oscillating at high speed in a strong magnetic field. Gyrotrons operate by first applying a high voltage to an electron gun to generate an electron beam. This electron beam is injected into the RF oscillator (cavity resonator) in a helical motion along the magnetic field. This rotation generates high-frequency electromagnetic waves, which are then formed into a high-frequency beam by a mode converter before being output. The electron beam loses energy and is absorbed by the collector. Output frequencies range from about 20 to 527 GHz, covering wavelengths from microwaves to the edge of the terahertz gap. Typical output power is several hundred kilowatts, equivalent to hundreds of microwave ovens. Gyrotrons are used not only for plasma heating in nuclear fusion but also for other applications such as materials processing and advanced spectroscopy.
Gyrotrons use a number of special power supplies, including high-voltage power supplies. Matsusada Precision manufactures and sells various power supplies for gyrotron systems, including high-voltage power supplies for electron guns.
- Related words:
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- Nuclear fusion
- Magnetron
- microwave
- plasma
- electron tube
