Evidence for Alfvén eigenmodes driven by alpha particles in D-3He fusion experiments on JET

Abstract

Alfvén eigenmodes (AEs) driven by energetic alpha particles can lead to enhanced fast ion transport and losses, thereby degrading the plasma performance in ITER and future magnetic confinement fusion reactors. Unexpectedly, AEs with negative toroidal mode numbers, which are currently not considered for ITER, were observed in dedicated experiments with fusion-born alpha particles on the tokamak Joint European Torus (JET). The paper provides evidence for a complex interplay between fast ions, monster sawtooth crashes and AEs. Our results highlight the need for an improved description of the synergies between different fast ion phenomena in future burning plasmas.