Density limits in TEXTOR-94 auxiliary heated discharges

In a tokamak plasma the maximum achievable density is limited. A too high density will result in a violent end of a discharge. Two types of density limit disruption can be distinguished: (a) impure and moderately heated discharges, if the radiative power exceeds the input power, (b) clean, auxiliary heated discharges, where the Greenwald limit is encountered. It has been found that in TEXTOR-94 these two density limits differ by the radiative instability in the plasma boundary, which preceeds the disruption. A symmetric radiative mantle and a detachment are observed prior to the first type, while the Greenwald limit has a MARFE precursor. Control of the impurity content, edge and recycling properties prevents the growth of the MARFE and makes it possible to exceed the Greenwald limit in TEXTOR-94 by more than a factor of 2. High densities have been obtained by means of normal gas feed. Maximum central densities of n_e(0) = 1.3×10²⁰ m^-3 have been obtained. The maximum achievable density scales with the input power and plasma current. Non-disruptive discharges, with a stationary (t>25τ_E) density a factor of 1.93 above the Greenwald limit have been produced in L mode. The radiative losses and impurity concentration have been maintained at a relatively low level during the entire high density phase.