Present Status, Application and Prospect of the ECRH System in Large Helical Device

There are several important roles for the electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) methods in helical-type plasma experimental devices. One is to produce high-temperature and high-density current-free plasmas. Another is additional heating of electrons and resulting ion heating through equipartition. Plasma temperature and current profile controls with highly localized heating become advanced techniques to improve plasma confinement and to suppress some MHD instabilities. ECRH is also an ultimate candidate of a steady-state plasma sustainment.