The availability of high power (∼1 MW), long pulse length (effectively cw), high frequency (>100 GHz) gyrotrons has created the opportunity for enhanced scientific results on magnetic confinement devices for fusion research worldwide. This has led to successful experiments on electron cyclotron heating, electron cyclotron current drive, non-inductive tokamak operation, tokamak energy transport, suppression of instabilities and advanced profile control leading to enhanced performance. The key development in the gyrotron community that has led to the realization of high power long pulse gyrotrons is the availability of edge cooled synthetic diamond gyrotron output windows, which have low loss and excellent thermal and mechanical properties. In addition to the emergence of reliable high power gyrotrons, ancillary equipment for efficient microwave transmission over distances of hundreds of metres, polarization control, diagnostics, and flexible launch geometry have all been developed and proved in regular service.

At DIII-D, five 110 GHz gyrotrons are operating routinely for 2.0 s pulses at generated power levels ≥750 kW per gyrotron. A sixth gyrotron is being installed, which should bring the generated power level to >4 MW and the injected power to about 3.0 MW. The output power now can be modulated by the plasma control system to fix T e at a desired value. The system is being used as a tool for control of current diffusion, for current profile control and other experiments leading to advanced tokamak operation.

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Abstract. An edge plasma current density diagnostic employing a neutralized lithium ion beam system has been installed on the DIII-D tokamak. The lithium beam control system is designed around a GE Fanuc 90-30 series PLC and Cimplicity@ HMI (Human Machine Interface) software. The control system operates and supervises a collection of commercial and in-house designed high voltage power supplies for beam acceleration and focusing, filament and bias power supplies for ion creation, neutralization, vacuum, triggering, and safety interlocks. This paper provides an overview of the control system, while highlighting innovative aspects including its remote operation, pulsed source heating and pulsed neutralizer heating, optimizing beam regulation, and beam ramping, ending with a discussion of its performance.

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