Large Scale CW ECRH Systems: Some considerations

• Published in: EPJ Web of conferences Vol. 32; p. 4006
• Main Authors: Erckmann, V., Kasparek, W., Plaum, B., Lechte, C., Petelin, M.I., Braune, H., Gantenbein, G., Laqua, H. P., Lubiako, L., Marushchenko, N. B., Michel, G., Turkin, Y., Weissgerber, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: EDP Sciences 01-01-2012
• ISSN: 2100-014X; 2100-014X
• DOI: 10.1051/epjconf/20123204006

Electron Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ECRH) is a key component in the heating arsenal for the next step fusion devices like W7-X and ITER. These devices are equipped with superconducting coils and are designed to operate steady state. ECRH must thus operate in CW-mode with a large flexibility to comply with various physics demands such as plasma start-up, heating and current drive, as well as configurationand MHD - control. The request for many different sophisticated applications results in a growing complexity, which is in conflict with the request for high availability, reliability, and maintainability. ‘Advanced’ ECRH-systems must, therefore, comply with both the complex physics demands and operational robustness and reliability. The W7-X ECRH system is the first CW- facility of an ITER relevant size and is used as a test bed for advanced components. Proposals for future developments are presented together with improvements of gyrotrons, transmission components and launchers.