ION-CYCLOTRON HEATING-SYSTEM DESIGN FOR BPX

The ion cyclotron heating system for the Burning Plasma Experiment (BP X) is required to deliver at least 20 MW of rf power to the plasma for pulse lengths of up to 15 s over a range of plasma operating conditio ns (e.g., average plasma densities from 0.5 x 10(20) to 4.5 X 10(20) m (-3), toroidal fields from 5 to 8 T). Because of the high, reactor-lik e energy density in the fusion plasma, the antenna and first wall will be exposed to significantly higher thermal loads and disruption force s than present-generation antennas. The increased loads have a major i nfluence on the design choices that are made. Calculations indicate th at the antenna for BPX would survive the anticipated environment, but only with proper choice of materials and design.