Non-inductive solenoid-less plasma current startup in NSTX using transient CHI

R. Raman, D. Mueller, T. R. Jarboe, B. A. Nelson, M. G. Bell, M. Ono, T. Bigelow, R. Kaita, B. Leblanc, K. C. Lee, R. Maqueda, J. Menard, S. Paul, L. Roquemore

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23 Scopus citations

Abstract

Coaxial helicity injection (CHI) has been successfully used in the National Spherical Torus Experiment for a demonstration of closed flux current generation without the use of the central solenoid. The favourable properties of the spherical torus (ST) arise from its very small aspect ratio. However, small aspect ratio devices have very restricted space for a substantial central solenoid. Thus methods for initiating the plasma current without relying on induction from a central solenoid are essential for the viability of the ST concept. CHI is a promising candidate for solenoid-free plasma startup in a ST. The method has now produced closed flux current up to 160 kA verifying the high current capability of this method in a large ST built with conventional tokamak components.

Original languageEnglish
Article number009
Pages (from-to)792-799
Number of pages8
JournalNuclear Fusion
Volume47
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2007

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