Microwave Development Laboratory RF/Microwave Technology Center

Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing Technology / 1-800-356-4USA / 4USA@ornl.gov

SUMMARY

The Microwave Development Laboratory at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is used to develop new applications of microwave and radio frequency (RF) energy, characterize the performance of plasma diagnostics, and provide and support RF/microwave measurements for a variety of projects. The infrastructure to support a wide range of microwave and RF development and characterization activities is in place, accompanied by the experience and expertise required to get a job done.

DESCRIPTION

The 800-ft Microwave Development Laboratory is located in Building 9201-2 in the Fusion Energy Division at the Y-12 plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The facility has independent environment control; 120-, 220-, and 440-V electrical current; process water; and instrument air. It provides a complete development environment equipped with ample microwave hardware, microwave power sources, diagnostic equipment, and technical expertise. Support from the U.S. Fusion Energy program since ~1955 has provided a unique infrastructure of test and measurement equipment. The most valuable microwave resource is the technical team with 41 years of combined experience in high-power microwave design and measurement (two electronic engineering Ph.D.s and one physics Ph.D.).

Scalar and vector network analyzers and spectrum analyzers allow characterization of components and assemblies over the 300-kHz to 110-GHz range. Sources range from backward wave oscillators producing 10 mW from 75–110 GHz, to 200-kW continuous wave gyrotron systems at 28, 35, and 53 Ghz, to 1.5 MW from 40–80 MHz. Various coaxial and waveguide components are available: rectangular and circular waveguides, waveguide transitions and horns, frequency meters (cavity and electronic counters), waveguide attenuators, waveguide terminations (precision and high power), waveguide-to-coaxial adapters, mode converters, mixers, diode detectors, waveguide couplers and custom-built electric and magnetic field probes, and antenna pattern scanning and data acquisition systems. The standard rectangular waveguide bands WR-10, WR-12, WR-15, WR-19, WR-22, WR-42, WR-62, WR-90, WR-187, WR-284, and WR430 are particularly well stocked. A great variety of high-power circular waveguide components for high-power millimeter wave systems are available, including both smooth-wall and corrugated waveguides. Coaxial components include flexible and semi-rigid coaxial; connectors; fixed, step and variable attenuators; phase shifters; stubs; trombones; and power meters. Numerous computer codes have been developed to analyze antenna patterns, waveguide components, waveguide mode conversion, and dielectric heating in systems.

Recent Projects

• Design, construction and testing of a folded waveguide for plasma heating and current drive.
• Development of a quasi-optical resonant ring for super-high-power testing of microwave components and windows.
• Development of advanced high-power ECH generation and oversized waveguide transmission systems for plasma heating.
• Design, construction, and testing of microwave applicators to decontaminate concrete: rapid heating of the free water generates steam explosions resulting in surface bursting.
• Design, construction, and testing of 4.6-GHz high-power waveguide splitter.
• Cavity irradiation of wheat pests to determine the lethality of microwave power on the various life stages.
• Electric field measurements to examine the performance of a 2.45-GHz TM01 launcher.
• E-field pattern measurements of a corrugated 67–114 GHz antenna built for electron cyclotron emission measurements.
• Heating of test logs to exami ne the capability of microwave processing of wood to increase chemical access to the log's interior. Microwave energy can be used to break the membranes that control fluid flow within and between the cells in wood, improving chemical and biohemical access and thereby reducing the amount of chemicals required for wood treatment.
• Electric and magnetic field measurements of plasma facing RF antenna structures.

BUSINESS CONTACT

Manufacturing Technology Information Service
Oak Ridge Centers for Manufacturing Technology
P.O. Box 2009, Bldg. 9737
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-8091
(800) 356-4USA
4USA@ornl.gov

TECHNICAL CONTACT

Tim S. Bigelow
Terry L. White

260: 8/1/96

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