Electromagnetic loads on ion cyclotron and lower hybrid launchers for TPX

The ion cyclotron (IC) and lower hybrid (LH) launchers for the Tokamak Physics Experiment (TPX) will be subjected to significant forces resulting from eddy currents induced in the launchers from the rapid decay of the plasma current during plasma disruption events. The launchers are being designed to withstand the forces resulting from a peak plasma current decay rate of 1.2 MA/ms and an average current decay rate of 0.5 MA/ms from an initial plasma current of 2 MA. The desire for highly reliable and low cost fabrication techniques prompted the comparison of pure copper and dispersion-hardened copper for the LH launcher. Its low nuclear activation rate, high electrical resistance, and high strength motivated the evaluation of Titanium as an IC antenna material.