Physics design of a 28 GHz electron heating system for the National Spherical Torus experiment upgrade

G. Taylor, N. Bertelli, R. A. Ellis, S. P. Gerhardt, R. W. Harvey, J. C. Hosea, F. Poli, R. Raman, A. P. Smirnov

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

A megawatt-level, 28 GHz electron heating system is being designed to support non-inductive (NI) plasma current (Ip) start-up and local heating and current drive (CD) in H-mode discharges in the National Spherical Torus Experiment Upgrade (NSTX-U). The development of fully NI Ip start-up and ramp-up is an important goal of the NSTXU research program. 28 GHz electron cyclotron (EC) heating is predicted to rapidly increase the central electron temperature (Te(0)) of low density NI plasmas generated by Coaxial Helicity Injection (CHI). The increased Te(0) will significantly reduce the Ip decay rate of CHI plasmas, allowing the coupling of fast wave heating and neutral beam injection. Also 28 GHz electron Bernstein wave (EBW) heating and CD can be used during the Ip flat top in NSTX-U discharges when the plasma is overdense. Ray tracing and Fokker-Planck numerical simulation codes have been used to model EC and EBW heating and CD in NSTX-U. This paper presents a pre-conceptual design for the 28 GHz heating system and some of the results from the numerical simulations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationRadiofrequency Power in Plasmas - Proceedings of the 20th Topical Conference
PublisherAmerican Institute of Physics Inc.
Pages534-537
Number of pages4
ISBN (Print)9780735412101
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014
Event20th Topical Conference on Radiofrequency Power in Plasmas - Sorrento, Italy
Duration: Jun 25 2013Jun 28 2013

Publication series

NameAIP Conference Proceedings
Volume1580
ISSN (Print)0094-243X
ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

Conference

Conference20th Topical Conference on Radiofrequency Power in Plasmas
Country/TerritoryItaly
CitySorrento
Period6/25/136/28/13

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Physics design of a 28 GHz electron heating system for the National Spherical Torus experiment upgrade'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this