EFDA-JET-CP(10)08/01

Overview of JET Results

Since the last IAEA Conference JET has been in operation for one year with a programmatic focus on the qualification of ITER operating scenarios, the consolidation of ITER design choices and preparation for plasma operation with the ITER-like wall presently being installed. Good progress has been achieved, including stationary ELMy H-mode operation at 4.5MA. In matched NBI+ICRF heated H-mode plasmas with up to 100% of ICRF heating the confinement was found to be independent of the heating mix. The high confinement hybrid scenario has been extended to high triangularity, lower r* and to pulse lengths comparable to the resistive time. The steady-state scenario has also been extended to lower r* and n* and optimised to simultaneously achieve, in stationary conditions, ITER-like values of all other relevant normalised parameters. Dedicated physics studies have demonstrated reduced core ion stiffness in plasmas with high rotational, and low magnetic, shear, allowing gradients with normalised ion temperature gradient lengths up to 8 in the fastest rotating hybrid discharges. Effective sawtooth control by fast ions has been demonstrated with 3He minority ICRH, a scenario with negligible minority current drive. ELM control studies using external n = 1 and n = 2 perturbation fields have found a resonance effect in ELM frequency for specific q95 values. Complete ELM suppression has however not been observed, even with an edge Chirikov parameter larger than 1. Pellet ELM pacing has been demonstrated and the minimum pellet size needed to trigger an ELM has been estimated. In disruption studies with Massive Gas Injection up to 50% of the thermal energy could be radiated before, and 20% during, the thermal quench. Halo currents could be reduced by 60% and, using argon/deuterium and neon/deuterium gas mixtures, runaway electron generation could be avoided. Most objectives of the ITER-like ICRH antenna have been demonstrated; matching with closely packed straps, ELM resilience, Scattering Matrix Arc Detection and operation at high power density (6.2MW/m2) and antenna strap voltages (42kV). Coupling measurements are in very good agreement with TOPICA modelling.
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