Production of high-quality plasma discharges via real-time control of plasma current ramp-up using neutral gas injection in Aditya-U tokamak
Robust control of plasma current ramp-up is an absolute necessity, as an efficient and uncontaminated plasma current ramp-up is essential for achieving prolonged, high-pressure tokamak plasma discharges. In conventional tokamaks with Ohmic breakdown, the plasma current ramp-up is achieved primarily with pre-fixed temporal profiles of the applied toroidal electric field and the equilibrium magnetic field (Bv). The pre-fixed temporal profiles of these fields are often insufficient to maintain a successful plasma current ramp-up, as several unquantified dynamical variables, such as the condition of the vessel wall and plasma-facing components, influence the plasma current rise. Fuel gas injection in an appropriate quantity at a suitable time during the current ramp-up is therefore used to control the plasma current rise rate, ensuring successful plasma current start-up in Aditya-U. The gas injection time and gas quantity are controlled based on real-time measurement of plasma current rise rate using a digital signal processor (DSP) controller. This special control scheme is capable of achieving the plasma current to rise nearly at the desired rate, resulting in a successful start-up and a stable plasma discharge.