First measurements of ICRF and edge/SOL plasma interactions on TORE SUPRA

Abstract Heat fluxes considerably larger than anticipated appear to be incident on the lateral protection of the TORE SUPRA Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies (ICRF) antennas. The antenna lateral protection shows overheating for ICRF power levels greater than 2 MW in dipole mode or 1 MW in monopole mode. A possible cause for overheating is a DC sheath voltage created on the antenna structure by the ICRF.