Up-shifted frequency electron-cyclotron current drive in a lower hybrid current drive plasma

Abstract

Using oblique injection of electron-cyclotron (EC) waves, launched from the low field side of the WT-3 tokamak, into a target plasma sustained by lower hybrid current drive (LHCD), the plasma current is ramped up at a rate corresponding to 100 kA/s. The current ramp-up is ascribed to selective EC heating of tail electrons in the LHCD plasma via fundamental EC resonance at an up-shifted frequency due to the Doppler effect.