Microwave preionization of the tokamak discharge at the electron cyclotron resonance

When ohmic heating power is applied during the microwave discharge at the electron cyclotron resonance, the plasma current and density build-up become fast and the loop voltage required to start the tokamak discharge decreases. The micro-wave burst observed in the initial stage is reduced and the burst of hard X-rays, occurring at the quasi-steady stage of discharge in the case of no microwave injection, disappears, suggesting that the production of run-away electrons is suppressed strongly.