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RF Central Solenoid Operation for Plasma Production and Current Drive in TST-2

Akira EJIRI, Yuichi TAKASE, Naoto TSUJII, Takahiro SHINYA, Satoru YAJIMA, Masateru SONEHARA, Hirokazu FURUI, Hiro TOGASHI, Hiroto HOMMA, Kenta NAKAMURA, Toshihiro TAKEUCHI, Yusuke YOSHIDA, Wataru TAKAHASHI, Kazuya TOIDA and Hibiki YAMAZAKI

Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8561, Japan

(Received 16 September 2015 / Accepted 2 January 2016 / Published 10 February 2016)

Abstract

The RF central solenoid operation is a method for generating an inductive RF electric field in a device by which plasma can be produced and ohmically heated. Furthermore, it may drive the DC current via heating. Experiments were carried out in TST-2 to clarify this potential under a limited amount of flux swing (±0.5 mVs) of the central solenoid. It was found that it can produce plasma and drive the DC current up to approximately 0.6 kA on average when an external equilibrium field is applied. In addition, the DC current can be ramped up when the inductive RF field is applied to ECW power-sustained plasmas.

Copyright (c) 2016 The Japan Society of Plasma Science and Nuclear Fusion Research

Keywords

AC loop voltage operation, spherical tokamak, plasma production, current drive, flux swing

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.11.1202004

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