Toward a LHCD system for ITER

On ITER, the LH system aims at supplying 20 MW CW for controlling the q-profiles in partially and fully non-inductive steady-state operation (9 MA). The designed LH system relies on a transmitter made of 24 5 GHz 1 MW klystrons linked to one antenna based on the passive active multijunction (PAM) concept, via a 60 m long oversized circular transmission line. Through a common European effort including several associations (CEA, ENEA, UKAEA, IST, TEKES and IPP-CZ) many outstanding problems have been solved: coupling has been achieved on JET in a physics scenario similar to ITER, a PAM has been tested with success on the FTU plasma. The reliability of LH for long pulse operation has been ascertained on Tore Supra. In order to routinely realise long pulse operation (1000 s), the Tore Supra LH system is being refurbished within the CIMES project framework where the transmitter is to be equipped with 16 klystrons 700 kW 1000 s at a frequency of 3.7 GHz. A new LH launcher based upon the PAM concept has been studied, designed and is actually under realisation.