Modeling results for proposed NSTX 28 GHz ECH/EBWH system

G. Taylor, S. J. Diem, R. A. Ellis, E. Fredd, N. Greenough, J. C. Hosea, T. S. Bigelow, J. B. Caughman, D. A. Rasmussen, P. Ryan, J. B. Wilgen, R. W. Harvey, A. P. Smirnov, J. Preinhaelter, J. Urban, A. K. Ram

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

A 28 GHz electron cyclotron heating (ECH) and electron Bernstein wave heating (EBWH) system has been proposed for installation on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX). A 350 kW gyrotron connected to a fixed horn antenna is proposed for ECH-assisted solenoid-free plasma startup. Modeling predicts strong first pass on-axis EC absorption, even for low electron temperature, Te ∼ 20 eV, Coaxial Helicity Injection (CHI) startup plasmas. ECH will heat the CHI plasma to Te ∼ 300 eV, providing a suitable target plasma for 30 MHz high-harmonic fast wave heating. A second gyrotron and steered O-X-B mirror launcher is proposed for EBWH experiments. Radiometric measurements of thermal EBW emission detected via B-X-O coupling on NSTX support implementation of the proposed system. 80% B-X-O coupling efficiency was measured in L-mode plasmas and 60% B-X-O coupling efficiency was recently measured in H-mode plasmas conditioned with evaporated lithium. Modeling predicts local on-axis EBW heating and current drive using 28 GHz power in β ∼ 20% NSTX plasmas should be possible, with current drive efficiencies ∼40 kA/MW.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 15th Joint Workshop on Electron Cyclotron Emission and Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating, EC-15
PublisherWorld Scientific Publishing Co. Pte Ltd
Pages509-514
Number of pages6
ISBN (Print)9812814639, 9789812814630
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
Event15th Joint Workshop on Electron Cyclotron Emission, ECE 2008 and Electron Cyclotron Heating, ECH 2008 - Yosemite Village, CA, United States
Duration: Mar 10 2008Mar 13 2008

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 15th Joint Workshop on Electron Cyclotron Emission and Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating, EC-15

Conference

Conference15th Joint Workshop on Electron Cyclotron Emission, ECE 2008 and Electron Cyclotron Heating, ECH 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityYosemite Village, CA
Period03/10/0803/13/08

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