Cross-effect on electron cyclotron and lower hybrid current drive in tokamak plasmas

Abstract

Electron cyclotron resonance current drive in tokamak plasmas in the presence of a lower hybrid tail is investigated using a two-dimensional Fokker-Planck code. For an extraordinary mode at oblique propagation and down-shifted frequency it is shown that the efficiency of electron cyclotron current drive becomes (i) substantially greater than the corresponding efficiency of a Maxwellian plasma at the same bulk temperature, (ii) equal to or greater than that of lower hybrid waves, and (iii) comparable to the efficiency of a Maxwellian plasma at much higher temperatures. This enhancement of the efficiency results from a beneficial cross-effect of the two waves on the formation of the current carrying electron tail. The use of the ordinary mode for outside launching in the equatorial plane is also discussed and it is shown that the O-mode is generally not suited for current drive via the lower hybrid tail and that in a hot Maxwellian plasma the efficiency at down-shifted frequencies is comparable to that at up-shifted frequencies.