Study of the Electron cyclotron power deposition in TOMAS

Abstract

Efficient Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ECRH) breakdown and pre-ionization can be achieved with fundamental X-mode, while higher harmonics can introduce excessive stray radiation. Fundamental heating however is characterized by a low cut-off density, introducing additional power absorption mechanisms in the plasma. A good knowledge of these mechanisms is necessary to use fundamental X-mode as an efficient pre-ionization method. Numerous experiments were performed on the TOroidally MAgnetized System (TOMAS) to study the power deposition for ECRH in helium. It is a facility designed to study plasma production, wall conditioning and plasma–surface interactions and is operated by LPP-ERM/KMS at the FZ-J¨ulich. The influence of the injected power $P_{EC}$ and the magnetic field $B_0$ on the absorption mechanisms is examined, in order to reduce stray radiation and improve the absorption efficiency. This will allow to determine the best scenarios for plasma start-up and pre-ionization.