RF Coupling and Antenna Heat Load Control for Combined LHCD and ICRH in Tore Supra
- Association Euratom-CEA, CEA/DSM/DRFC, Centre de Cadarache, 13108 Saint Paul lez Durance (France)
The recent experiments in Tore Supra has focused on the optimisation of the RF heating systems (ICRH and LHCD) in order to achieve high power levels simultaneously over long durations. This leads to njected power levels n the range of 10 MW, which is representative of ITER operation in terms of average power density and heat exhaust capability. Successful operation has been achieved up to 9-10 MW for 20-30 s, using real-time control of the antenna front face temperatures from nfrared measurements, and security on Cu and Fe brightness. The wave coupling was optimised for the two RF systems simultaneously, while at the same time minimising the hot spot formation due to RF sheath effects and interaction by fast particles (fast electrons accelerated n the near field of the LH wave and fast ions with large orbits created by ICRH). Local modification of the scrape-off layer density around an ICRH antenna impacts on magnetcally connected LHCD antennas. The LH coupling either improves or deteriorates locally, depending on the relative radial and poloidal positon of the LHCD waveguides and the ICRH antenna. The surface temperature related to the acceleration of electrons n the near-field of the LH wave evolves accordingly, i.e. it either increases or decreases as a response to the increase or decrease in scrape-off layer density.
- OSTI ID:
- 21032765
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 933, Issue 1; Conference: 17. topical conference on radio frequency power in plasmas, Clearwater, FL (United States), 7-9 May 2007; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2800483; (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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