Neoclassical tearing mode stabilization by ECCD in ITER

A dynamic model, based on a 3-D Fokker-Planck code coupled to the island evolution equations, is used to evaluate the feasibility of active control of Neoclassical Tearing modes by Electron Cyclotron Current Drive (ECCD) in International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). The parameters of the present version of ITER, i.e., RTO/RC ITER (IAM option) are used. Both m = 3, n = 2 and m = 2, n = 1 modes are considered. It is shown that an Electron Cyclotron wave system at 140 GHz, with toroidally steerable antennas, can stabilize both modes simultaneously if a power ⩾30 MW is available.