Main experimental results and challenges in ICRF heating on EAST

Abstract

Radio frequency (RF) power in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies (ICRF) is one of the primary auxiliary heating techniques for Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). In this paper, we will present an overview of the main experimental results from recent campaign on EAST. 1) A dedicated experiment for more than 10MW operations has been carried out on EAST. The major aspects linked to the use of the EAST auxiliary heating systems: ICRF,LHCD and NBI are presented with emphasis on ICRF and LH. The challenges for ICRF coupling on EAST will be described at the low densities typically used for long pulse operation with lithium wall conditioning. 2)This paper also summarizes effects of ICRF power on LH coupling and modification of heat loads on EAST. 3) Co-current rotation driven by ICRF are observed in both L-mode and H-mode discharges. Co-current rotation can be generated by ICRF heating in LHCD plasma. Different rotation behavior observed in LHCD discharges. ICRF can also induce counter-current rotation in LHCD L-mode discharges. 4) A high-frequency magnetic probes (HFBs) system has been developed and successfully applied to detect ion cyclotron emission (ICE) in D-NBI injection experiments in the 2018 experimental campaign of EAST. ICE driven by fast D-NBI ions and fusion born ions are observed on EAST.5) In Hydrogen minority in Deuterium plasma, the interaction of fast wave and fast D-NBI ions is detected on EAST. Acceleration of fast D ions is confirmed by increased neutron yield.