Low-recycling conditions and improved core confinement in steady-state operation scenarios in JET (Joint European Torus)

In this paper, we discuss the phenomena that link particle recycling from the vessel walls in the L-mode during discharge start-up and the core confinement in the H-mode during the subsequent main heating phase. We consider available data of JET experiments that aimed at approaching fully non-inductive ITER-relevant steady-state conditions and show that the high electron temperature produced at the edge by a low recycling during start-up tends to favour the build-up of high normalized β(βN) regimes in the H-mode, the confinement being improved in a large plasma volume. To provide an insight into this complex phenomenon we have modelled the relation between particle recycling in the scrape-off layer and the evolution of plasma transport, plasma current density and shear as well as the stability properties for such experimental conditions. The results confirm the existence of a link between the confinement in the H-mode phase and the values at the edge of electron temperature, bootstrap current density and local magnetic shear during start-up. Such a link could favour these regimes to be self-sustained in time. © 2013 IOP Publishing Ltd.