Numerical analysis of the optimized performance of the electron cyclotron wave system in a HL-2M tokamak**Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11375085, 11405082, 11505092, 11475083, and 11375053), the National Magnetic Confinement Fusion Science Program of China (Grant Nos. 2013GB104004, 2013GB111000, 2014GB107000, and 2014GB108002), and the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, China (Grant No.

Abstract

The capabilities of current drive, neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) stabilization, and sawtooth control are analyzed for the electron–cyclotron wave (ECW) system in a HL-2M tokamak. Better performance of the upper launcher is demonstrated in comparison with that of a dropped upper launcher, in terms of JEC/Jbs for NTM stabilization and IECCD/(Δρtor)2 for sawtooth control. 1-MW ECW power is enough for the 3/2 NTM stabilization, and 1.8-MW ECW power is required to suppress 2/1 NTM in a single null divertor equilibrium with 1.2-MA toroidal current with the upper launcher. Optimization simulation of electron–cyclotron current drive (ECCD) is carried out for three mirrors in an equatorial port, indicating that the middle mirror has a good performance compared with the top and bottom mirrors. The results for balanced co- and counter-ECCD in an equatorial port are also presented.