Characterization of RFX-mod passive conducting structures to optimize plasma start up and equilibrium control

The load assembly of RFX-mod consists of three toroidal conducting structures whose eddy currents affect the plasma equilibrium magnetic configuration. The high number of electromagnetic probes mounted on the components of the load assembly allowed to analyse the response of each structure to a variation of the magnetic field vertical component. The capability of evaluating the axisymmetric toroidal currents in the passive structures and therefore their contribution to the equilibrium configuration by a 2D FE MHD equilibrium code was validated. The design and implementation of a feedback control system of the magnetic field vertical component before the gas ionization allowed meeting the requirement of an accurate control of this quantity in view of operation at higher plasma current and independently of the magnetizing winding programming.