Speaker
Dr
Valentin Igochine
(Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics, Garching, Germany)
Description
The improved H-mode scenario (or high β hybrid operations) is one of the main candidates for high-fusion performance tokamak operation, which could potentially reach the steady-state condition. In this case, the normalized pressure β_N must be maximized and pressure driven instabilities limit the plasma performance. These instabilities could have either resistive ((m=2,n=1) and (3,2) Neoclassical Tearing Modes (NTMs)), or ideal character (n=1 ideal kink modes). In ASDEX Upgrade (AUG), the first limit for maximum achievable β_N is set by NTMs. Application of pre-emptive electron cyclotron current drive at the q=2 and q=1.5 resonant surfaces reduces this problem, such that higher values of β_N can be reached. AUG experiments have shown that, in spite of the fact that hybrids are mainly limited by NTMs, proximity to the no-wall limit leads to amplification of external fields that strongly influences the plasma profiles: for example, rotation braking is observed throughout the plasma and peaks in the core. In this situation, even small external fields are amplified and their effect becomes visible. To quantify these effects, the plasma response to magnetic fields produced by B-coils is measured as β_N approaches the no-wall limit. These experiments and corresponding modelling allow to identify the main limiting factors which depend on the stabilizing influence of conducting components facing the plasma surface, existence of external actuators and kinetic interaction between the plasma and the marginally stable ideal modes. Analysis of the plasma reaction to external perturbations allowed us to identify optimal correction currents for compensating the intrinsic error field in the device. Such correction, together with analysis of kinetic effects, will help to increase β_N further in future experiments.
| Country or International Organization | Germany |
|---|---|
| Paper Number | EX/P6-24 |
Primary author
Dr
Valentin Igochine
(Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics, Garching, Germany)
Co-authors
Dr
Anja Gude
(Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics, Germany)
Mr
David Ryan
(CCFE ABINGDON, UK)
Dr
Dimitriy Yadykin
(Chalmers University of Technology GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN)
Dr
Erika Strumberger
(Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics Garching, Germany)
Dr
Fabio Villone
(DIEI, Universita’ degli Studi di Cassino CASSINO,ITALY)
Dr
Giovanni Tardini
(Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics, Garching, Germany)
Dr
Ivo Classen
(FOM institute DIFFER)
Dr
Lionello Marelli
(CONSORZIO RFX PADOVA, ITALY)
Dr
Marc Maraschek
(Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics)
Dr
Matthias Reich
(Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik, Garching, Germany)
Dr
Mike Dunne
(IPP-Garching)
Dr
Mirjam Schneller
(Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik)
Dr
Nicolo Marconato
(CONSORZIO RFX PADOVA, ITALY)
Dr
Paolo Bettini
(CONSORZIO RFX Padova, Italy)
Paolo Piovesan
(Consorzio RFX)
Dr
Patrick McCarthy
(University College Cork, CORK, IRELAND)
Dr
Philipp Lauber
(Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics)
Dr
Rachael McDermott
(Max Planck Institut für Plasmaphysik)
Dr
Stefano Mastrostefano
(DIEI, Universita’ degli Studi di Cassino CASSINO,ITALY)
Tommaso BOLZONELLA
(Consorzio RFX)
Dr
Wolfgang Suttrop
(Max-Planck-Institut für Plasmaphysik)
Dr
Yueqiang Liu
(CCFE Culham Science Centre)
