Self-consistent modeling of the iter RF antenna, edge plasma, and sheath voltages

Summary form only given. The 24-strap ITER RF antenna is modeled with a time-domain electromagnetic simulation package [1], that faithfully represents the 3D complexity of the launcher geometry. The simulations include a cold-plasma fluid model of the edge plasma [2], with an RF sheath sub-grid model which allows for realistic behavior of plasma in contact with metallic structures such as Faraday shields [3]. This self-consistent approach provides realistic antenna loading, including the effect of edge plasma, as well as additional physics such as slow wave excitations, that can result in significantly higher field amplitudes, and hence sheath voltages, on metallic structures. We use this modeling capability to study loading, peak fields, and sheath potentials for varying edge plasma density, and launcher power level. We also present status updates on projects to include nonlinear effects in the calculation, via kinetic and fluid approaches.