Approaching Detachment in I-mode - Response of Core Confinement and the Edge Pedestal in the ASDEX Upgrade Tokamak

Experiments on nitrogen assisted divertor detachment in the improved energy confinement mode (I-mode) are reported from the ASDEX Upgrade tokamak. When nitrogen is introduced into the divertor and radiation losses cool the divertor plasma down, a loss of core confinement is observed, concomitant with an increase in low frequency edge fluctuation levels. The loss in confinement can be compensated and the I-mode can be maintained by additional heating power input. Detachment of the inner divertor leg has been observed for the first time in an I-mode discharge. The outer divertor leg remains attached in these experiments. Good energy confinement properties (H 98(y, 2) = 0.9) during the detachment of the inner divertor leg are reported. Euratom Research and Training Programme 633053 US Department of Energy DE-AC05-00OR22725