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ELMy H-modes in JET helium-4 plasmas

  • D. C. McDonald
  • , J. G. Cordey
  • , E. Righi
  • , F. Ryter
  • , G. Saibene
  • , R. Sartori
  • , B. Alper
  • , M. Becoulet
  • , J. Brzozowski
  • , I. Coffey
  • , M. De Baar
  • , P. De Vries
  • , K. Erents
  • , W. Fundamenski
  • , C. Giroud
  • , I. Jenkins
  • , A. Loarte
  • , P. J. Lomas
  • , G. P. Maddison
  • , J. Mailloux
  • A. Murari, J. Ongena, J. Rapp, R. A. Pitts, M. Stamp, J. Strachan, W. Suttrop

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

ELMy H-modes in helium-4 plasmas provide valuable information on ELMy H-mode physics as well as a possible early low activation operational phase for next-step tokamaks, such as ITER. With this in mind, a series of helium-4 H-mode experiments were performed on JET with pure helium-4 NET auxiliary heating (up to 12 MW). A set of ELMy H-mode plasmas were produced, in both the Type I ELM regime and a second regime, which showed characteristics similar to the deuterium Type III regime, but with a reverse ELM frequency dependence on power. Sawteeth were also observed, and had similar behaviour to those seen in deuterium. Compared with deuterium plasmas, Type I ELMy H-mode confinement is seen to be 28 ± 6% poorer in helium-4 plasmas and the L-H power threshold 42 ± 10% larger. This is the opposite of the behaviour predicted by experimental isotope mass scalings from hydrogenic plasmas.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)519-534
Number of pages16
JournalPlasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Volume46
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2004
Externally publishedYes

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