Physics and Technological Issues for Steady-State Tokamak Operation on TRIAM-1M

Abstract

Subjects on TRIAM-1M are presented from the viewpoint of plasma physics and reactor technology associated with ‘steady state operation’ (SSO). For a future fusion power plant, for burning plasma, complete steady state operation is required. Control of the density under the complicated plasma-wall interaction, non-inductive current start-up, and sustainment of high performance are key areas in the present and future investigations. The following experimental results are reviewed. First, it is shown that the co-deposition of the metallic impurity and oxygen plays an important role in the temporary change in the wall pumping rate, and a model of the co-deposition probability agreed with the observation. It was also noticed that the thermal release of the hydrogen from the plasma-facing components affects the steady state density operation in the ultra long discharge. It was found that enhanced influx of metal impurities from the hot spot affect the steady state operation of the high performance plasma. Second, helium effects on microscopic damage on metals were studied in helium/hydrogen mixture discharges. A large quantity of dislocation loops and dense fine bubbles were observed by means of TEM even for exposure only 125 seconds in duration. From TDS for the specimens, the amount of retained helium was evaluated to be 3.9 · 10 20 He/m 2 . Third, the physics understanding for the enhanced current drive (ECD) mode around the threshold power level progressed from the viewpoint of transition probability. The forward transition frequency from a non-ECD plasma state to the ECD state was precisely determined under fixed LHCD power. Thus, a statistical probability for ECD transition was determined; that is, the transition behavior around the threshold power could be described in a statistical manner. Transition frequency showed a strong power dependence. Fourth, the current ramp-up scenario without using centre solenoid coils was reinvestigated at higher density, and controllability of the current ramp-up rate was studied. The plasma was initiated by ECH (fundamental O-mode at 170 GHz with 200 kW) at B = 6.7 T, and a ramp-up rate below the technical limit of 150 kA/s for ITER could be achieved by choosing LH power. A model to describe the ramp-up is proposed.