Synergistic ICRH and NBI heating for fast ion generation and maximising fusion rate in mixed plasmas at jet

Abstract

The studies of recent JET experiments in H/D≈0.85/0.15 plasma (2.9T/2MA) in which neutron rate was enhanced by applying 2.5MW of ICRH using D-(DNBI)-H three-ion scheme are reported. An extensive analysis of this novel heating scenario has been carried out by means of integrated TRANSP/TORIC modelling, and a comprehensive validation of the computed Fast Ion Distribution Function (FI DF) with a range of fast ion diagnostics available at JET is presented. The predicted acceleration of D Neutral Beam Injection (NBI) ions beyond their injection energies and the associated changes in FI DF by RF waves are found to be in good agreement with measured neutron yield and TOFOR neutron spectrometer measurements, as well as with multi-channel neutron camera observations and neutral particle analyser diagnostic. An outlook of the possible applications of the developed technique for future DTE2 studies on JET has been highlighted. Controlled acceleration of TNBI ions in D-rich and DNBI ions in T-rich plasmas to optimal energies can be applied to maximise BT fusion rates and contribute to the success of future DT experiments at JET and ITER as illustrated in this study.