Non-Inductive Current Start-Up Using Multi-Harmonic Electron Cyclotron Wave and Current Ramp-Up Through Combined Electron Cyclotron Wave and Ohmic Heating in EXL-50U Spherical Torus

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-harmonic electron cyclotron waves in non-inductive current start-up and ramp-up in a spherical torus, achieving high current drive efficiency through combined ECW and Ohmic heating.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental verification of multi-harmonic ECW's role in current drive enhancement and introduces a physical mechanism involving multi-harmonic heating and wave absorption.

Findings

Enhanced driven current with more resonance layers.

First experimental verification of first harmonic ECW current drive.

Achieved 70% non-inductive current fraction at 1 MA.

Abstract

The non-inductive current start-up by multi-harmonic electron cyclotron wave has been systematically investigated in the EXL-50U spherical torus. Significant enhancements of the driven current with increasing number of resonance layers have been demonstrated by variation of the number of harmonic resonance layers of the ECW through adjustment of the magnetic field or plasma cross section. The critical role of multi-harmonic ECW in enhancing the driven current has been experimentally verified for the first time. To explain the related experimental observations, a physical mechanism involving multi-harmonic heating, multiple reflections, and multi-pass absorption - leading to the generation of high-energy electrons via X-mode wave or electron Bernstein wave has been proposed. The current drive capacity of the first harmonic extraordinary mode of the ECW has also been experimentally confirmed for the first time. After the application of Ohmic heating during the current ramp-up phase, the current drive efficiency of ECW is further enhanced. Leveraging the synergistic effect between ECW and Ohmic heating, EXL-50U achieved a plasma current of 1 MA, with the non-inductively driven current fraction reaching 70%.