Applied Mathematics and Applied Physics

Plasma Physics Colloquium

Abhay Ram
Plasma Science and Fusion Center, M.I.T.

"Electron Cyclotron Current Drive in Spherical Tokamaks -- a Crystal Ball Peek into ITER"

There are three waves in the electron cyclotron frequency range that can propagate in a magnetized plasma -- the conventional extraordinary and ordinary waves, and the electron Bernstein wave (EBW). The first two waves can also propagate in vacuum while the third requires the presence of a plasma. EBWs are particularly useful for delivering external wave power to electrons in overdense plasmas encountered in a spherical tokamak. I will talk about the coupling of power to EBWs and their interesting characteristics as they propagate and damp inside a plasma. I will also discuss the similarities between the physics of EBW current drive in present day spherical tokamaks and electron cyclotron current drive in ITER. 

Hosted by Prof. Thomas Pedersen