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Title: Damping of lower hybrid waves in large spectral gap configurations

Journal Article · · AIP Conference Proceedings
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4864511· OSTI ID:22263846

Extensive experimental data support reliable power deposition and current drive by lower-hybrid (LH) waves in conditions where a large spectral gap exists between the nominal parallel index of refraction prescribed by the antenna characteristics and phasing, and that required for significant Landau damping to take place. We argue that only a significant modification of the initial spectrum at the plasma edge could explain experimental observations. Based on this assumption, a new prescription for reliable simulations of LH current drive using ray-tracing and Fokker-Planck modelling is proposed. A remarkable agreement between experimental observations in the Tore Supra tokamak and simulations is obtained for relevant parametric scans, including electron density and LH waveguide phasing. In an effort to investigate the possible role of fluctuations, it is shown that the spectral gap can be bridged dynamically in the presence of a fluctuating LH spectrum.

OSTI ID:
22263846
Journal Information:
AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1580, Issue 1; Conference: 20. topical conference on radiofrequency power in plasmas, Sorrento (Italy), 25-28 Jun 2013; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English