Optimization of plasma initiation in the ITER Tokamak

The operation of poloidal field coils at the plasma initiation in the ITER is optimized considering the effect of eddy currents. The eddy currents induced in the in-vessel components are analyzed using the finite element method. It is shown that the plasma initiation of the ITER, VLOOP = 18 V and IP = 0.5 MA s −1, is obtained by considering the influence of the eddy currents induced by the flux supply and the plasma current ramp-up. The evolution of the plasma configuration up to the plasma current IP = 0.5 MA is obtained by the dynamical simulation.