Modeling of EAST ICRF antenna performance using the full-wave code TORIC

Journal Article · Thu Dec 10 04:00:00 EST 2015 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4936500· OSTI ID:22496202

Bonoli, P. T.; Porkolab, M.; Wukitch, S. J. ^[1]

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1. MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center, Cambridge, MA (United States)

Access to advanced operating regimes in the EAST tokamak will require a combination of electron-cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH), neutral beam injection (NBI) and ion cyclotron range frequency heating (ICRF), with the addition of lower-hybrid current drive (LHCD) for current profile control. Prior experiments at the EAST tokamak facility have shown relatively weak response of the plasma temperature to application of ICRF heating, with typical coupled power about 2 MW out of 12 MW source. The launched spectrum, at n{sub φ} = 34 for 0-π -0-π phasing and 27 MHz, is largely inaccessible at line-averaged densities of approximately 2 × 10{sup 19} m{sup −3}. However, with variable antenna phasing and frequency, this system has considerable latitude to explore different heating schemes. To develop an ICRF actuator control model, we have used the full-wave code TORIC to explore the physics of ICRF wave propagation in EAST. The results presented from this study use a spectrum analysis using a superposition of n{sub φ} spanning −50 to +50. The low density regime typical of EAST plasmas results in a perpendicular wavelength comparable to the minor radius which results in global cavity resonance effects and eigenmode formation when the single-pass absorption is low. This behavior indicates that improved performance can be attained by lowering the peak of the k{sub ||} spectrum by using π/3 phasing of the 4-strap antenna. Based on prior studies conducted at Alcator C-Mod, this phasing is also expected to have the advantage of nearly divergence-free box currents, which should result in reduced levels of impurity production. Significant enhancements of the loading resistance may be achieved by using low k{sub ||} phasing and a combination of magnetic field and frequency to vary the location of the resonance and mode conversion regions. TORIC calculations indicate that the significant power may be channeled to the electrons and deuterium majority. We expect that implementation of these recommendations in EAST will yield substantial improvements in the net absorbed power that will greatly assist in the attempt to access advanced tokamak operating regimes.

• OSTI ID: 22496202
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Journal Name: AIP Conference Proceedings Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 1689; ISSN 0094-243X; ISSN APCPCS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALCATOR DEVICE
ANTENNAS
BEAM INJECTION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DENSITY
DEUTERIUM
ECR HEATING
ELECTRON CYCLOTRON-RESONANCE
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
HT-7U TOKAMAK
ICR HEATING
ION CYCLOTRON-RESONANCE
ION TEMPERATURE
LOWER HYBRID CURRENT DRIVE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MHZ RANGE 01-100
MODE CONVERSION
PERFORMANCE
SPECTRA
WAVE PROPAGATION