ICRH ENGINEERING

Radio frequency methods of heating have become well established and ar e likely to be part of any next-step tokamak programme. In addition fa st wave current drive is emerging as an alternative mean of non-induct ive current drive, although the experimental efficiencies achieved to date are still too low to be considered useful. This paper reviews the requirements and the state of development of the different components making up a complete present day Ion Cyclotron Resonance Heating (ICR H) experimental system. The performance achieved by present systems en ables the provision of an ICRH system for next step devices within the existing technology limits. Nevertheless, specific difficulties and l imitations for extrapolating some of the components to a reactor are m uch as possible highlighted.