EPJ Web of Conferences (Sep 2012)
In vessel characterization and first power tests on plasma of the Real-Time controllable EC launcher on FTU Tokamak
Abstract
The Electron Cyclotron (EC) fast launcher for real time control experiments has been installed on FTU and characterized to be fully integrated in a real-time MHD control module under development. The launcher scheme is based on a two module system, symmetric with respect to the equatorial plane of FTU, with a front steering concept and the launched beams are real-time controllable both in poloidal and toroidal directions. Specific design parameters, defined by the FTU MHD dynamics (typically island size and q profile changes), are the beam dimensions with zooming capabilities, the steering range and mirror speed with the most demanding requirement on poloidal speed of the Steering Mirror (SM) Δθ = 1° in 10 ms. A set of tests has been done to verify the system performance. High power tests of the launcher have been done on a 500 kA, 0.5·1020m−3 and 5.3 T plasma with 2·300 kW of EC power delivered to the plasma. The steering mechanism was tested under the automatic control system and showed a dynamic response in line with the requirements. Results of these tests will be presented in the paper.