New advanced launcher for lower hybrid current drive on Tore Supra

A new actively cooled advanced launcher is being built for Tore Supra LHCD to inject 4 MW during 1000 s at 3.7 GHz, at a power density of 25 MW/m2 (a conservative value observed in Tore Supra experiments). It is made from an array of 6×48 active and 6×9 passive waveguides. The design uses technologies which are relevant for a next step machine such that it can: (i) withstand a plasma radiated flux of 0.15 MW/m2; (ii) radiate power with spectra having peak N// values of 2.02±0.35; (iii) withstand a total torque of 8.6 104 N m during disruptions; (iv) allow an antenna 20 cm radial stroke adjustable in real time, (v) withstand a convected power flux of 10 MW/m2 on its guard limiter made of CFC tiles. A prototype of each new component of this antenna has been tested successfully at the nominal power with a pulse length of 1000 s.