Tearing mode physics studies applying the dynamic ergodic divertor on TEXTOR

Abstract

The dynamic ergodic divertor (DED) on the TEXTOR tokamak allows for the reproducible destabilization of the m/n = 2/1 tearing mode which is phase locked to the external static or rotating perturbation field. In combination with its flexible heating systems (co- and counter-neutral beam injection, ion cyclotron resonance heating, electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) with steerable launcher) dedicated experiments to study the mode onset, properties of large islands and mode stabilization can be performed. The dependence of the mode excitation threshold (field penetration) on the plasma rotation shows a resonance character, with minimum threshold when the external perturbation frequency matches the MHD frequency of the 2/1 mode. Mode stabilization by ECRH heating shows that for the TEXTOR plasma heating is more effective than the current drive in O-point. Extrapolation to ITER yields a significant contribution to the mode suppression originating from the temperature increase within the island. Alfvén-like modes, which have been previously identified in the vicinity of large islands on FTU (Buratti et al 2005 Nuclear Fusion 45 1446), are found to be created already before island formation above a certain threshold of the externally applied perturbation field.