RF Heating & Current Drive (H&CD) Systems in Fusion Plasmas
Speakers
About the Session
As fusion devices move towards long-pulse and steady-state operation, reliable heating and current drive systems become essential for sustaining and controlling the plasma. This session will introduce the role of radio-frequency heating and current drive, covering key approaches such as ICRH, ECRH and LHCD, and their applications in tokamak operation. It will also highlight the technological challenges involved in developing high-power, continuous-wave RF systems and the need for indigenous reactor-grade RF technologies for future fusion reactors.
Key Highlights
- Tokamaks are moving toward long-pulse and steady-state operation, requiring reliable H&CD systems
- RF systems such as ICRH, ECRH and LHCD enable efficient plasma heating and sustained operation
- India needs to develop indigenous reactor-grade RF technologies and MW-class CW sources
- Klystrons and gyrotrons will be key technologies for future fusion reactors
Who Should Attend
This Masterclass will benefit students, researchers, and faculty from diverse fields including physics, materials science, electrical and mechanical engineering, and energy systems. It will also interest professionals from renewable energy, advanced materials, and technology sectors who wish to understand how fusion research could shape future energy solutions. Policymakers, R&D leaders, and industry stakeholders engaged in science and technology strategy will find valuable insights on aligning academic innovation, industrial development, and policy direction toward India’s and the world’s fusion mission.