H-Modes Studies in PDX

摘要

A regime of enhanced energy confinement during neutral beam heating has been obtained routinely in the PDX tokamak after modifications to form a closed divertor geometry. Plasma density profiles were broad and the electron temperature at the plasma edge reached values of approx. 400 eV in the H-mode phase of a discharge. A comparison of closed divertor discharges with moderate and intense gas puffing indicates that a requirement for obtaining high confinement times is the localization of the plasma fueling source in the divertor throat region. While high confinement was attained at moderate injected powers (P/sub INJ/ less than or equal to 3 MW), confinement was degraded at higher powers due to both increased edge instabilities and, especially, the intense gas puffing needed to prevent disruptions. Initial results with a particle scoop limiter indicate high particle confinement times and energy confinement times approaching those of diverted H-mode plasmas. (ERA citation 09:038943)