Conceptual design of the lower hybrid current drive system for the T-15 tokamak

Abstract

A conceptual design of the lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) system for the upgraded T-15 tokamak (RNC Kurchatov Institute, Moscow) is presented. A tentative theoretical analysis, including extensive numerical simulations of different antenna types and LH wave propagation as well as estimation of LHCD efficiency, is carried out. The analysis has shown the possibility of launching a 4–5 MW radio frequency power through one tokamak port and driving up to a 1 MA LH current at a plasma density of 2–3 × 1013 cm−3. The most suitable design of the whole LHCD system and the antenna, in particular, is discussed as well as the main technical problems of the T-15 LHCD project.