Progress in reducing ICRF-specific impurity release in ASDEX upgrade and JET

Use of new 3-strap ICRF antennas with all-tungsten (W) limiters in ASDEX Upgrade results in a reduction of the W sources at the antenna limiters and of the W content in the confined plasma by at least a factor of 2 compared to the W-limiter 2-strap antennas used in the past. The reduction is observe...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: V. Bobkov, D. Aguiam, M. Baruzzo, D. Borodin, I. Borodkina, S. Brezinsek, I. Coffey, L. Colas, A. Czarnecka, E. Delabie, P. Dumortier, F. Durodie, R. Dux, H. Faugel, H. Fünfgelder, C. Giroud, M. Goniche, J. Hobirk, A. Herrmann, J. Jacquot, Ph. Jacquet, A. Kallenbach, A. Krivska, C.C. Klepper, E. Lerche, S. Menmuir, D. Milanesio, R. Maggiora, I. Monakhov, F. Nave, R. Neu, J.-M. Noterdaeme, R. Ochoukov, Th. Pütterich, M. Reinke, A. Tuccilo, O. Tudisco, D. Van Eester, Y. Wang, Q. Yang, W. Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2017-08-01
Series:Nuclear Materials and Energy
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352179116300746
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Summary:Use of new 3-strap ICRF antennas with all-tungsten (W) limiters in ASDEX Upgrade results in a reduction of the W sources at the antenna limiters and of the W content in the confined plasma by at least a factor of 2 compared to the W-limiter 2-strap antennas used in the past. The reduction is observed with a broad range of plasma shapes. In multiple locations of antenna frame, the limiter W source has a minimum when RF image currents are decreased by cancellation of the RF current contributions of the central and the outer straps. In JET with ITER-like wall, ITER-like antenna produces about 20% less of main chamber radiation and of W content compared to the old A2 antennas. However the effect of the A2 antennas on W content is scattered depending on which antennas are powered. Experiments in JET with trace nitrogen (N2) injection show that a presence of active ICRF antenna close to the midplane injection valve has little effect on the core N content, both in dipole and in -90° phasing. This indicates that the effect of ICRF on impurity transport across the scape-off-layer is small in JET compared to the dominant effect on impurity sources leading to increased impurity levels during ICRF operation. Keywords: ICRF, RF sheath, Three-strap, 3-strap, ASDEX Upgrade, JET, ILW, A2 antenna, ILA, Sputtering
ISSN:2352-1791