High power (22 MW) ICRH at JET and developments for next step devices

Abstract

In excess of 22 MW of ion cyclotron resonance heating at the JET (Joint European Torus) plasma center has been achieved with increased plant availability by changes to the plant and its control and protection philosophy. Nested feedback systems, including RF control of the plasma position, enable power to be sustained throughout L mode to H mode fast plasma load variations. Modified plasma sawtooth behavior has been obtained by pi /2 phasing of the antenna currents. These control developments and the proposed fast wave current drive experiments with the new four-strap, JET ICRH antennas will be relevant to ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) and next step devices.<>