Enhanced Conversion of Thermal Electron Bernstein Waves to the Extraordinary Electromagnetic Mode on the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX)

[摘要] A four-fold increase in the conversion of thermal electron-Bernstein waves (EBW) to the extraordinary mode (X-mode) was measured when the density scale length (L subscript ''n'') was progressively shortened by a local Boron nitride limiter in the scrape-off of an ohmically heated National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX) plasma [M. Ono, S. Kaye, M. Peng, et al., Proceedings 17th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (IAEA, Vienna, Austria, 1999), Vol. 3, p. 1135]. The maximum conversion efficiency approached 50% when L subscript ''n'' was reduced to 0.7 cm, in agreement with theoretical predictions that used locally measured L subscript ''n''. Calculations indicate that it is possible to establish L subscript ''n'' < 0.3 cm with a local limiter, a value predicted to attain approximately 100% EBW conversion to the X-mode in support of proposed EBW heating and current drive scenarios.

[发布日期] 2002-10-15 [发布机构] Princeton University. Plasma Physics Laboratory.

[关键词] Thermonuclear Reactors;Heating;Cyclotron Radiation Mode Conversion;Iaea;70 Plasma Physics And Fusion Technology