Direct electron heating experiment on the Aditya tokamak using fast waves in the ion cyclotron resonance frequency range

Abstract

Second harmonic heating experiments using fast waves are carried out on the Aditya tokamak in the ion cyclotron resonance frequency (ICRF) range with the help of a 200 kW, 20–40 MHz RF heating system, which is developed indigenously. Significant direct electron heating is observed in a hydrogen plasma. The rise in electron temperature is prompt with the application of RF power and the increment in electron temperature increases linearly with RF power. A corresponding increase in plasma beta and hence an increase in stored diamagnetic energy are also observed in the presence of RF power. The low-Z impurity radiation and electron density do not increase significantly with RF power. The direct electron heating by fast wave in Aditya is also predicted by the ion cyclotron resonance heating code TORIC.