Initial plasma start-up using partial solenoid coils in Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus (VEST)

Initial plasma start-up experiments based on ohmic discharge using partial solenoid coils located at both vertical ends of a center stack have been carried out in Versatile Experiment Spherical Torus (VEST) at Seoul National University. Ohmic discharges with the help of microwave pre-ionization have been performed according to the pre-programed start-up scenario which was experimentally verified by a series of vacuum field measurements using an internal magnetic probe array. A plasma current of around 0.4 kA has been achieved by ohmic discharge using partial solenoid coils, under the toroidal magnetic field of 0.1 T. The vacuum field calculation and fast camera image have revealed that the small plasma current even with significant amount of loop voltage up to 9.7 V is attributed to the imbalance of poloidal field for equilibrium. Modification of the start-up scenario and upgrade of power supplies are proposed to be carried out in order to achieve higher plasma current in the future experiments.

► Initial plasma start-up experiments using unique partial solenoid coils are conducted in VEST. ► Ohmic discharges with ECH pre-ionization have been performed with pre-programed start-up scenario. ► A plasma current of around 0.4 kA has been achieved by using partial solenoid coils at Bt = 0.1 T. ► Modified start-up scenario with upgraded power supplies will be pursued for higher plasma currents.