Conceptual Design and Prototype Performance of Phased-array Antenna for EBWH/CD Experiments in QUEST

抄録

Electron Bernstein Wave Heating and Current Drive (EBWH/CD) experiments have been conducted to sustain a spherical tokamak configuration in a steady state in QUEST. In the EBWH/CD experiments on QUEST, the O-X-B mode conversion scenario was selected for plasma current sustainment in rather low-density plasmas. A new phased-array antenna system was proposed to launch a pure elliptically-polarized O-mode in the oblique injection. The prototype antenna system was designed and its performance was checked at low power test facilities. Good focusing and steering properties were confirmed in the low power test.