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Sawtooth stabilization by localized electron cyclotron heating in a tokamak plasma

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters; (USA)
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;  [1]; ; ;  [2]
  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan (JP)
  2. Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (USA)

Sawtooth oscillations (STO) in the Ohmically heated WT-3 tokamak are strongly modified or suppressed by localized-electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECH) near the {ital q}=1 surface, where {ital q} refers to the safety factor. The efect of ECH is much stronger when it is applied on the high-field side as compared to the low-field side. Complete suppression of the STO is achieved for the duration of the ECH, in most cases, when it is applied on the high-field side of a low-density plasma, provided the ECH power exceeds a threshold value. The STO stabilization is attributed to a modification of the current-density profile by hot electrons generated by ECH, which reduces the shear in the {ital q}=1 region.

DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76CH03073
OSTI ID:
5459727
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (USA) Vol. 66:15; ISSN PRLTA; ISSN 0031-9007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English