Role of pre-ionization in NBI plasma start-up of Heliotron J using non-resonant microwave heating

Here, we report on role of pre-ionization using non-resonant 2.45 GHz microwave heating (P (2.45 GHz) < 20 kW) in plasma start-up of neutral beam injection (NBI) for heliotron configurations in low beam power (P (NB)) under non-resonant heating condition. A rapid electron heating towards burn-through of the low-Z impurities was observed experimentally in the early phase of beam injection when the seed plasma density produced by the non-resonant heating was enough for the plasma start-up. Beam heating time to the burn-through increased with decreasing the seed plasma density and a critical density condition of the seed plasma for successful start-up was observed experimentally. Proper timing of the gas fuelling is critical for plasma expansion because the beam fuelling is not significant. A 0-dimensional (0D) model analysis of the NBI start-up developed in this study well reproduces the experimental results. The 0D model clarifies the physical mechanism of the NBI start-up using pre-ionization described as follows: (1) the seed plasma produces sufficient beam ions immediately after beam injection, (2) the beam ions heat up electrons that promote the ionization/dissociation of the background neutrals, (3) this process acts as a positive feedback loop resulting in further electron heating towards burn-through. The 0D model analysis shows that the critical density corresponds to the state at which the electron heating by the beam ions is equal to electron power loss due to conduction and ionization/dissociation.

Automated summary

The study investigates the role of pre-ionization using non-resonant 2.45 GHz microwave heating in plasma start-up of neutral beam injection for heliotron configurations. Experimental results show that rapid electron heating towards burn-through of low-Z impurities occurs when the seed plasma density produced by non-resonant heating is sufficient for plasma start-up. Proper timing of gas fuelling is critical for plasma expansion as beam fuelling is not significant.