H-mode plasma transport simulation in ITER with effect of neoclassical tearing mode

Abstract

For the prediction of the ITER plasmas, the effect of the neoclassical tearing mode (NTM) on the plasma confinement has been calculated using the 1.5-dimensional equilibrium and transport simulation code TOTAL. The time evolution of the NTM magnetic island has been analyzed using the modified Rutherford equation for ITER normal shear plasmas. The anomalous transport model used here is GLF23. The saturated magnetic island widths are w/a ∼ 0.048 at 3/2 mode and w/a∼0.21 at 2/1 mode, and the reduction in fusion power output by NTM is 27% at the 3/2 mode, and 82% at the 2/1 mode. The stabilization effect of the electron cyclotron current drive (ECCD) with EC is also clarified. The threshold of ECCD power for the full stabilization at high beta NTM island formation is ∼10 MW against the 3/2 mode, and ∼23 MW against the 2/1 mode. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.