Dynamical modelling of tearing mode stabilization by RF current drive

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Abstract
The theory of tearing mode stabilization in toroidal plasmas by RF driven currents that are modulated in phase with the island rotation is investigated. A time-scale analysis of the phenomena involved indicates that transient eects, such as nite time response of the driven currents, island rotation during the power pulses and the inductive response of the plasma, are intrinsically important. A dynamical model of such eects is developed, based on a 3-D Fokker{Planck code coupled to both the electric eld diusion equation and the island evolution equation. Extensive applications to both ECCD and LHCD in ITER are presented.