Ion cyclotron range of frequencies heating and current drive in deuterium--tritium plasmas

Journal Article · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.871266· OSTI ID:55933

Phillips, C K; Bell, M G; Bell, R; Bretz, N; Budny, R V; Darrow, D S; Grek, B; Hammett, G; Hosea, J C; Hsuan, H; Ignat, D; Majeski, R; Mazzucato, E; Nazikian, R; Park, H; Rogers, J H; Schilling, G; Stevens, J E; Synakowski, E; Taylor, G ; Wilson, J R; Zarnstorff, M C; Zweben, S J ^[1]; Bush, C E; Goldfinger, R; Jaeger, E F; Murakami, M; Rasmussen, D ^[2]; Bettenhausen, M; Lam, N T; Scharer, J; Sund, R ^[3]; Sauter, O ^[4]

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1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey 08543 (United States)
2. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831 (United States)
3. University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States)
4. Centre de Recherches en Physique des Plasmas, Association EURATOM, Lausanne (Switzerland)

The first experiments utilizing high-power radio waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies to heat deuterium--tritium (D--T) plasmas have been completed on the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor [Fusion Technol. {bold 21}, 13 (1992)]. Results from the initial series of experiments have demonstrated efficient core second harmonic tritium (2{Omega}{sub {ital T}}) heating in parameter regimes approaching those anticipated for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor [D. E. Post, {ital Plasma} {ital Physics} {ital and} {ital Controlled} {ital Nuclear} {ital Fusion} {ital Research}, Proceedings of the 13th International Conference, Washington, DC, 1990 (International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, 1991), Vol. 3, p. 239]. Observations are consistent with modeling predictions for these plasmas. Efficient electron heating via mode conversion of fast waves to ion Bernstein waves has been observed in D--T, deuterium-deuterium (D--D), and deuterium--helium-4 (D--{sup 4}He) plasmas with high concentrations of minority helium-3 ({sup 3}He) ({ital n}{sub 3}{sub He}/{ital n}{sub {ital e}}{gt}10%). Mode conversion current drive in D--T plasmas was simulated with experiments conducted in D--{sup 3}He--{sup 4}He plasmas. Results show a directed propagation of the mode converted ion Bernstein waves, in correlation with the antenna phasing.

• Research Organization: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH03073
• OSTI ID: 55933
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 2; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
BERNSTEIN MODE
CURRENT-DRIVE HEATING
DEUTERIUM
HELIUM 3
HELIUM 4
ICR HEATING
ITER TOKAMAK
MODE CONVERSION
PLASMA HEATING
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
TFTR TOKAMAK
THERMONUCLEAR DEVICES
TRITIUM