Lower hybrid heating and current drive experiments in ASDEX

Interaction of lower hybrid waves with ions and electrons was studied in the density range (0.4-5)x1013cm-3 in ASDEX. At high densities, fast ions are produced by the radiofrequency at the plasma periphery. No bulk plasma heating was observed in the parameter range where it is predicted by quasilinear theory. At low densities the RF couples to suprathermal electrons. In this regime plasma currents up to 400 kA were sustained for one second. The energy content of the plasma is maintained during RF current drive. (author)