Application of transient CHI plasma startup to future ST and AT devices

Abstract

Employment of non-inductive plasma start-up techniques would considerably simplify the design of a spherical tokamak fusion reactor. Transient coaxial helicity injection (CHI) is a promising method, expected to scale favorably to next-step reactors. However, the implications of reactor-relevant parameters on the initial breakdown phase for CHI have not yet been considered. Here, we evaluate CHI breakdown in reactor-like configurations using an extension of the Townsend avalanche theory. We find that a CHI electrode concept in which the outer vessel wall is biased to achieve breakdown, while previously successful on NSTX and HIT-II, may exhibit a severe weakness when scaled up to a reactor. On the other hand, concepts which employ localized biasing electrodes such as those used in QUEST would avoid this issue. Assuming that breakdown can be successfully attained, we then apply scaling relationships to predict plasma parameters attainable in the transient CHI discharge. Assuming the use of 1 Wb of injector flux, we find that plasma currents of 1 MA should be achievable. Furthermore, these plasmas are expected to Ohmically self-heat with more than 1 MW of power as they decay, facilitating efficient hand-off to steady-state heating sources. These optimistic scalings are supported by TSC simulations.

Demonstration of transient CHI startup using a floating biased electrode configuration

“…In a CHI discharge as the toroidal field is increased, the increased spiraling action of the field line increases its connection length. As described in [20,21], the initial magnetic field line configuration for a CHI discharge results in field lines with a short connection length in the injector region and much longer connection lengths in other parts of the vessel. Paschen's law for gas breakdown requires that the combination of the magnetic field line length and gas pressure satisfy a minimum threshold level at a given applied voltage.…”