Experimental Study on the Constant Deceleration Scheme in Traveling Wave Direct Energy Converter

Traveling Wave Direct Energy Converter (TWDEC) was proposed to apply to D-3He nuclear fusion power generation system, and is studied as an energy source of a spacecraft recently where miniaturization of the device is important. Not only the modulation process, but also the deceleration process are important to treat a trade-off between device size and efficiency. The suitable scheme of the constant deceleration, of which experimental investigation was insufficient, was studied. Based on the theory of the scheme, a decelerator for simulation experiments was assembled and deceleration experiments were performed. The efficiency of the highest record in simulation experiments and a fair agreement with the theory were obtained. The problem was also clarified that the improvement of the modulation process was necessary.