Electron Heat Transport Study in KSTAR L-mode Plasmas Using ECRH Modulation

Abstract

In this study, we explore the electron heat transport in a simpler approach using a semi-empirical model, the so-called critical gradient model (CGM) that has not been applied to KSTAR before, instead of a complex theoretical approach. KSTAR experiments were designed to perform the perturbative analysis using electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) modulation as well as power balance analysis. We determined the free-parameters of the semi-empirical model that can reproduce the experimental results by simulations using ASTRA. The ranges of free-parameters obtained through this process from KSTRA experiments are compared and analyzed with those obtained from other devices such as JET and ASDEX Upgrade. The dependences on the plasma parameters are conducted.