Oscillating Field Current Drive Studies in the Madison Symmetric Torus
Abstract
Oscillating field current drive (OFCD), a candidate for steady-state RFP current sustainment, is studied in the Madison Symmetric Torus (MST). OFCD is performed by applying AC poloidal and toroidal loop voltages to the plasma, with a prescribed relative phase difference. Nonlinear MHD calculations show that OFCD can fully sustain the current in an RFP. Low power partial current drive experiments at 500 Hz in MST show a small mean current with the expected dependence on OFCD phase. Motional Stark effect (MSE) and Faraday rotation diagnostics show some AC magnetic field penetration to the RFP core. The MST OFCD hardware is being modified to increase applied power and decrease the frequency to 250 Hz, which may improve current drive performance. Also, a new higher power OFCD system for MST is being built.
- Publication:
-
APS Division of Plasma Physics Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- October 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003APS..DPPQP1083M