The simulation of cathode deformation and structural optimization of high-power electron tetrodes

This paper, set against the backdrop of significant breakthroughs achieved during the 20th round of plasma physics experiments at the China Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), introduces the ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) system, an important heating method. It focuses on simulating the deformation of the cathode in the power amplifier of a high-power electron tetrode, a key component of the ICRH system, under normal operating conditions. The simulation was conducted using the general finite element analysis software ANSYS. The main factors causing cathode deformation are gravity and thermal expansion, with thermal expansion being influenced by the elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and thermal expansion coefficient. The simulation results indicate that the impact of gravity on cathode deformation is minimal; however, when temperature conditions are considered, the deformation increases significantly. Finally, the deformation of the cathode was optimized by adding support wires, and the effect of these wires on cathode deformation was analyzed. Through theoretical analysis and simulation experiments, the deformation characteristics of the cathode under working temperature conditions were revealed, providing valuable guidance for optimizing the cathode structure in high-power electron tetrodes.