RF power as key contributor to high performance "baseline" scenario experiments in JET DD and DT plasmas in preparation for ITER

Experimental studies of Deuterium and Tritium plasmas have been carried out at JET in the last years, yielding precious information for the next generation of fusion devices. Among the various approaches taken, JET's "Baseline" scenario experiments are pushing the machine towards its engineering limits by operating in a high-confinement H-mode at high toroidal field, plasma current and fuel density, as planned for ITER. The present paper provides a brief sketch of the Baseline scenario philosophy and discusses a number of RF-related results obtained in the preparation of the DT campaign as well as its preparations. Fusion powers of almost 9MW and energies of 12MJ have been reached in DT "Baseline" scenario plasmas. The differing role of radio frequency and beam heating is highlighted, the former allowing peaked core temperature profiles instrumental e.g. for core high-Z impurity chasing and the "landing" of high performance discharges while the latter is the main overall heating source in JET. Synergistic effects from the simultaneous use of wave and beam heating are responsible for a modest but noticeable increase in fusion power. One of the differences between D and DT plasmas is the plasma density, which impacts on the beam deposition as well as fast ion generation.