H-mode plasmas in the MAST spherical tokamak

A. R. Field, P. G. Carolan, R. J. Akers, E. R. Arends, K. Axon, R. J. Buttery, N. J. Conway, G. F. Counsell, G. Cunningham, S. J. Fielding, M. Gryaznevich, A. Kirk, I. P. Lehane, B. Lloyd, M. A. McGrath, H. Meyer, C. Ribeiro, A. Sykes, A. Tabasso, M. R. TournianskiM. Valovic, M. J. Walsh, H. R. Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Operating scenarios in the Mega-Ampère Spherical Tokamak (MAST) have been recently developed to access routinely H-mode plasmas over a wide range of plasma conditions. Gas refuelling at the inboard mid-plane has proved invaluable in facilitating L- to H-mode transitions. Already, a comprehensive range of H-mode behaviour has been observed providing similar and contrasting comparisons with conventional tokamaks. For example, similarities are found in H-mode edge and global evolutions, increases in confinement and ELM behaviour. In contrast, H-mode threshold powers are about an order of magnitude higher in MAST than those predicted by conventional aspect ratio tokamak scalings. At the highest βθ values obtained so far, transient confinement times of ∼100 ms are achieved and calculations indicate that bootstrap currents may approach 50% of the plasma current.

Original languageEnglish
Article number307
Pages (from-to)A113-A121
JournalPlasma Physics and Controlled Fusion
Volume44
Issue number5 A
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2002
Externally publishedYes
Event8th IAEA Technical Committee Meeting on H-Mode Physics and Transport Barriers - Toki, Japan
Duration: Sep 5 2001Sep 7 2001

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