THz Backward-Wave Oscillators for Plasma Diagnostic in Nuclear Fusion

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science Vol. 44; no. 4; pp. 369 - 376
• Main Authors: Paoloni, Claudio, Gamzina, Diana, Himes, Logan, Popovic, Branko, Barchfeld, Robert, Lingna Yue, Yuan Zheng, Xiaopin Tang, Ye Tang, Pan Pan, Hanyan Li, Letizia, Rosa, Mineo, Mauro, Jinjun Feng, Luhmann, Neville C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01-04-2016; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Couplers; Electron beams; Fabrication; Fusion; Fusion reactors; Oscillators; Plasma diagnostics; Plasma physics; Power generation; Power supply; Scattering; Turbulence; terahertz (THz); plasma diagnostic; double-staggered grating (DSG); double-corrugated waveguide (DCW); Backward-wave oscillator (BWO)
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2016.2541119

Understanding of the anomalous transport attributed to short-scale length microturbulence through collective scattering diagnostics is key to the development of nuclear fusion energy. Signals in the subterahertz (THz) range (0.1-0.8 THz) with adequate power are required to map wider wavenumber regions. The progress of a joint international effort devoted to the design and realization of novel backward-wave oscillators at 0.346 THz and above with output power in the 1 W range is reported herein. The novel sources possess desirable characteristics to replace the bulky, high maintenance, optically pumped far-infrared lasers so far utilized in this plasma collective scattering diagnostic. The formidable fabrication challenges are described. The future availability of the THz source here reported will have a significant impact in the field of THz applications both for scientific and industrial applications, to provide the output power at THz so far not available.