Bias-sustained shield plasma
Divertor biasing may provide a method for density and impurity control by enhancing the shielding efficiency of the scrape-off layer. The idea is to make the scrape-off plasma denser and thicker by heating it with a bias-driven current, and by inducing a radial E {times} B drift. If the bias is applied to flux surfaces at the outer edge of the usual scrape-off layer, a new layer of plasma can be added which is sustained by the bias-supplied power. A simple theoretical model will be presented which shows that there is a threshold condition which must be satisfied in order for the bias-heated plasma to be self-sustaining. The bias-sustained plasma must also be opaque enough to neutrals in order for it to be fueled by a gas puff, which means that it win serve as a shield to the core plasma against neutral impurities and hydrogen. Experiments performed on DIII-D have demonstrated both a modification of the central nickel impurity concentration and an increase in the ionization of hydrogen within the scrape-off layer due to biasing.
- Research Organization:
- General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-89ER51114
- OSTI ID:
- 10189806
- Report Number(s):
- GA-A-21041; CONF-9209181-2; ON: DE93001908
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) technical committee meeting on tokamak plasma biasing,Montreal (Canada),8-10 Sep 1992; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1992
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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