Design modification of ITER equatorial EC launcher for electron cyclotron heating and current drive optimization

Abstract The design modification of the ITER equatorial electron cyclotron (EC) launcher to enhance off-axis current drive performance, changing the steering capability of injection beams from toroidal to poloidal, is described. The modification requirement impacts the design of all 3 millimeter wave beam paths transmitted through the port plug and blanket shield modules (BSMs) installed in front. The optimized configuration of the mm wave design consisting of both steering and fixed mirrors, beam ducts between the waveguide outlet and BSM openings are successfully developed. Assuming a 100% pure HE 11 mode propagated at the waveguide output, a 99% transmission efficiency from the waveguide outlet to the BSM output is obtained. This modification ensures that mm wave beams from both middle and bottom beam row pass through the same BSM opening and will lead to the increase of neutron shielding potential. The configurations of BSMs are also modified maintaining the structural design concept of each module. The preliminary result of electromagnetic analysis shows that induced force and momentum torque on the modified BSMs are below the mechanical criteria of the BSMs’ support structure.