Components & Hardware
RF Antenna / Launcher
Couples radio-frequency heating power into the plasma.
- Role
- RF coupling
RF antennas and launchers, mounted at the vessel wall, couple ion- or lower-hybrid-frequency power into the plasma. Their design must survive the plasma edge while coupling efficiently.
Common questions
What does the RF antenna / launcher do?
It couples radio-frequency power into the plasma for heating and current drive, matched to the plasma edge so the power crosses into the plasma rather than reflecting back.
Is RF heating novel?
No — ion- and electron-cyclotron launchers are established heating technology; the design work is the antenna's coupling, cooling and survivability at the plasma edge.