Experimental data for ion cyclotron resonance heating in the RFC-XX machine in IPP-Nagoya are presented. The achieved ion temperature is as high as 100 eV at n = 1013 cm−3 and 1 keV at n = 1012 cm−3. The ion energy confinement becomes worse by the application of a longer pulse, which is found to be due to the enhanced charge-exchange loss and/or electron drag. Axially and azimuthally arrayed antennas are used in the heating, and the importance of the phasing is demonstrated. A simple model of the multiple-antenna problem is also given and used to interpret the experimental data.

In order to understand the relationships between confinement and space potential (electric field) and between confinement and density fluctuations, plasma parameters in the ELMO Bumpy Torus Scale (EBT-S)[in Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research (IAEA, Tokyo, 1974), Vol. 2, p. 141; Plasma Phys. 25, 597 (1983)] have been measured systematically for a wide range of operating conditions. Present EBT plasma parameters do not show a strong dependence on the potential profile, but rather exhibit a correlation with the fluctuations. The plasma pressure profile is found to be consistent with the profile anticipated on the basis of the flute stability criterion for a marginally stable plasma. For a heating power of 100 kW, the stored energy density is found to be restricted to the range between 4.5×1013 eV-cm−3 and 7×1013 eV-cm−3. The lower limit remains constant regardless of heating power and pertains to plasmas lacking an equilibrium and/or stability. The upper limit increases with heating power and is found to result from the onset of instabilities. In between the two limits is a plasma that is in an equilibrium state and is marginally stable. Operational trajectories exist that take the EBT plasma from one limit to the other.

Plasma equilibrium in the ELMO Bumpy Torus (EBT) [in Plasma Physics and Controlled Nuclear Fusion Research (IAEA, Tokyo, 1974), Vol. 2, p. 141; Plasma Phys. 25, 597 (1983)] was studied experimentally by measurements of the electrostatic potential structure. Before an electron tail population is formed, the electric field is found, roughly speaking, to be in the vertical direction. The appearance of a high-energy electron tail signals the formation of a negative potential well, and the potential contours start to nest. The potential contours are shifted inward with respect to the center of the conducting wall. The electric field between the plasma and the conducting wall forces the plasma inward, balancing the outward expansion force. This force balance provides a horizontal electric field that cancels the concentric radial electric field locally at the separatrix of the potential contour and leads to convective energy loss.

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A high-frequency hot electron instability is observed in ELMO Bumpy Torus (EBT) plasmas when the hot electron-to-ion density ratio exceeds 0.4. Both the real frequency and the imaginary frequency are larger than the ion cyclotron frequency. The azimuthal mode number (m) is 7, and the instability rotates in the hot electron curvature drift direction. This instability is identified as a curvature-driven mode. When it is strongly excited, the equilibrium of the hot electron annuli and confined plasmas are destroyed (disruption). Ion heating and neutron bursts are associated with this instability.