Density limits in helium plasmas at JET

Recently at JET a pure helium campaign has been performed. The exploration of the density limit in L-mode limiter as well as L-mode and H-mode diverted plasmas was one of the main objectives. In L-mode plasmas the density can be increased until the total radiated power equals the heating power, hence the density limit is determined by a radiative collapse. When compared to deuterium plasmas the L-mode density limit in helium is twice as high. In H-mode no significant difference in the density limit process has been observed. The pedestal density just before the H to L-mode back transition is the same in deuterium and helium plasmas. The H to L-mode back transition is followed by a development of a MARFE [J. Nucl. Mater. 145-147 (1987) 15] which eventually leads to a density limit disruption. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.