Self organization of high βp plasma equilibrium with an inboard poloidal magnetic field null in QUEST

Successful production of high ?p plasmas (??p???1) fully non-inductively (NI) and their long pulse sustainment with the help of modest power (<100?kW) of electron cyclotron waves is demonstrated. High ?p plasmas are found for the first time to be naturally self organized to form a stable natural inboard poloidal field null (IPN) equilibrium. A critical ?p value is identified, which defines the transition boundary from inboard limiter (IL) to IPN equilibrium. A new feature of plasma self organization is evidenced, which enhances its negative triangular shape to sustain high ?p. These results show a relatively simple method to produce and sustain high ?p plasma close to the equilibrium limit in a stable configuration exploiting its self organization property.