FULGOR

The Fusion Long Pulse Gyrotron Laboratory (FULGOR) is a globally unique facility for testing the high frequency, high power continuous wave microwave oscillators called gyrotrons used in fusion research. It provides extreme and complex conditions for experiments on gyrotron tubes, supporting the development of robust technologies for future fusion power plants.

FULGOR “Advancing High-Energy Microwave Technology – Precision in Frequency, Excellence in Heating.”

Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ECRH) of future nuclear fusion power plants require high-power and Continuous Wave (CW) gyrotrons that generate the required microwave energy. KIT FULGOR test facility is capable for testing of the MW-class CW gyrotrons. The main components of the FULGOR system are: high voltage modulators - the High Voltage Direct Current Power Supply (HVDCPS) with 90 kV / 120 A CW operation, as well as the Body Power Supply (BPS) with 50 kV/ 100 mA in CW operation; the 10 T cryogen-free SC magnet; the 10 MW cooling system; the microwave box with 4-mirror matching optics and the 2 MW microwave load; the control system that includes also a personal safety system; the fast interlock system (with reaction times < 10 μs); the data acquisition system; as well as an extensive RF diagnostic system that is equipped with a frequency filter-bank and a pulse spectrum analyzer.

Representative Projects

Without the FULGOR and gyrotrons for ECRH, the following projects would not have been possible – and fusion would remain a dream forever:

1. ITER
2. Wendelstein 7-X Stellarator
3. EU DEMO fusion power plant

Representative publications

1. G. Gantenbein et.al., Status and First Operation of Gyrotron Teststand FULGOR at KIT, IRMMW-THz 2022, Delft, The Netherlands
2. T. Rzesnicki et.al., KIT FULGOR Gyrotron Test Stand - Final Commissioning and Operation with 1 MW, 105 GHz CW Gyrotron for CEA-WEST, 22nd Joint Workshop on ECE and ECRH, April 22-26, 2024, Daejeon, South Korea

Contact:

Prof. Dr. John Jelonnek

Dr. Tomasz Rzesnicki