OPTIMIZATION OF PLASMA INITIATION IN THE ITER TOKAMAK

The operation of poloidal held coils at the plasma initiation in the I TER is optimized considering the effect of eddy currents. The eddy cur rents induced in the in-vessel components are analyzed using the finit e element method. It is shown that the plasma initiation of the ITER, V-LOOP = 18 V and (I) over dot(P) = 0.5 MA s(-1), is obtained by consi dering the influence of the eddy currents induced by the flux supply a nd the plasma current ramp-up. The evolution of the plasma configurati on up to the plasma current I-P = 0.5 MA is obtained by the dynamical simulation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.