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(EXP3/03) Long Sustainment of Quasi-steady State High Beta-p H-mode Discharges in JT-60U

A. Isayama¹⁾, Y. Kamada¹⁾, T. Ozeki¹⁾, S. Ide¹⁾, T. Fujita¹⁾, T. Oikawa¹⁾, T. Suzuki¹⁾, Y. Neyatani¹⁾, N. Isei¹⁾, K. Hamamatsu¹⁾, Y. I. Ikeda¹⁾, K. Takahashi¹⁾, K. Kajiwara¹⁾ and the JT-60U Team^1)
 
1) Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, Naka Fusion Research Establishment

Abstract.  Quasi-steady state high $\beta_{\mathrm{p}}^{}$ H-mode discharges performed by suppressing neoclassical tearing modes (NTM) is described. Two operational scenarios have been developed for long sustainment of the high $\beta_{\mathrm{p}}^{}$ H-mode discharge: NTM suppression by profile optimization and NTM stabilization by local electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) / electron cyclotron heating (ECH) at the magnetic island. By optimizing pressure and safety factor profiles, a high $\beta_{\mathrm{p}}^{}$ H-mode plasma with H_89PL = 2.8, HH_y2 = 1.4, $\beta_{\mathrm{p}}^{}$ = 2.0, $\beta_{\mathrm{N}}^{}$ = 2.5 has been sustained for 1.3 s at small values of $\nu_{\mathrm{e}*}^{}$ and $\rho_{\mathrm{i}*}^{}$ without destabilizing the NTMs. Characteristics of the NTMs destabilized in the region of the central safety factor above unity are investigated. Relation between the beta value at the mode onset $\beta_{\mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{on}}$ and that at the mode disappearance $\beta_{\mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{off}}$ can be described as $\beta_{\mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{off}}$ = 0.05 - 0.4$\beta_{\mathrm{N}}^{\mathrm{on}}$, which shows the existence of hysteresis. The value of $\beta_{\mathrm{N}}^{}$/$\rho_{\mathrm{i}*}^{}$ at the onset of an m/n=3/2 NTM has collisionality dependence, which is empirically given by $\beta_{\mathrm{N}}^{}$/$\rho_{\mathrm{i}*}^{}$ $\propto$ $\nu_{\mathrm{e}*}^{0.36}$. However, the profile effects are equally important, such as relative shapes of pressure and safety factor. Onset condition seems to be affected by strength of the pressure gradient at the mode rational surface. Stabilization of the NTM by local ECCD/ECH at the magnetic island has been attempted. The 3/2 NTM has been completely stabilized by EC wave injection of 1.6 MW.

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