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(OV/2) Overview of the FTU Results

F. Romanelli¹⁾ and the FTU Team^1)
 
1) Associazione EURATOM-ENEA sulla Fusione, C.R. Frascati, 00044, Frascati, Roma, Italy

Abstract.  An overview of the FTU results during the period 1998-2000 is presented. FTU has operated up to the nominal parameters (B=8T, I=1.6MA) with good reliability. Using the high-speed, multiple pellet injection system in 8T/1.25MA discharges a phase lasting a few energy confinement time has been achieved with improved confinement properties with peaked density profiles ( n = 4×10²⁰m^{- 3}), T_e $\approx$ T_i and Z_eff $\approx$ 1.3. Up to 14 keV of electron temperature have been obtained at high density using electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) on the current ramp. The transport analysis shows a very low electron heat transport in the region with flat/hollow safety factor profile. Synergy studies have been performed with simultaneous injection of lower hybrid and electron cyclotron waves in 7.2T discharges, well above the ECRH resonance. Clear evidence has been obtained of electron cyclotron wave absorption by the lower hybrid produced electron tails. Stabilisation of m=2 tearing modes has been obtained using ECRH, with subsequent improvement of the energy confinement. Ion Bernstein wave injection in high magnetic field (B=8T) plasmas has shown the reduction of the electron thermal conductivity in the region inside the absorption radius possibly due to the formation of an internal transport barrier.

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