Status of R&D activity for ITER ICRF power source system

Highlights: • R&D program to establish high power RF technology for ITER ICRF source is described. • R&D RF source is being developed using Diacrode & Tetrode technologies. • Test rig (3 MW/3600 s/35–65 MHz) simulating plasma load is developed. - Abstract: India is in-charge for the procurement of ITER Ion Cyclotron Resonance Frequency (ICRF) sources (1 Prototype + 8 series units) along with auxiliary power supplies and Local Control Unit. As there is no unique amplifier chain able to meet the output power specifications as per ITER requirement (2.5 MW per source at 35–65 MHz/CW/VSWR 2.0), two parallel three-stage amplifier chains along with a combiner circuit on the output side is considered. This kind of RF source will be unique in terms of its stringent specifications and building a first of its kind is always a challenge. An R&D phase has been initiated for establishing the technology considering single amplifier chain experimentation (1.5 MW/35–65 MHz/3600 s/VSWR 2.0) prior to Prototype and series production. This paper presents the status of R&D activity to resolve technological challenges involved and various infrastructures developed at ITER-India lab to support such operation.