Progress in extending the DIII-D high-β_P scenario to long pulse on EAST

Recent experiments on EAST have made progress in extending performance and duration of the high-β_P scenario, with world record duration of 403 s at β_P~2.5, β_N~1.5. Unlike the high β_P scenario on DIII-D with large radius internal transport barriers (ITBs) in all channels, on EAST the ITB is only visible in the electron temperature profile, at small radius. Transport analysis suggests that, at large radius, these plasmas are limited by ITG turbulence, despite low ion temperature gradients. Significant turbulence reduction is predicted with higher q_min and reduced magnetic shear. Experiments using EC waves for early heating, produced higher q_min plasmas with lower internal inductance, but lacked the power to sustain those conditions via sufficient bootstrap current. New experiments have been planned using TRANSP time-dependent modeling to optimize early EC heating timing, power, and deposition profile. It is predicted that strong off-axis EC heating will also cause the LHCD profile to peak off-axis. This could help sustain the high q_min profile, together with additional heating power.