Overview of the FTU results

An overview of the FTU results during the period 2000-2002 is presented. Long duration Internal Transport Barriers have been obtained on FTU with combined injection of Lower Hybrid and Electron Cyclotron waves in 5T/0.5MA discharges. The ITB phase lasts about ten energy confinement times and is characterised by an energy confinement time up to 1.6 times the ITER97L-mode scaling. Up to 11keV are achieved at 0.9x1020m-3 central density. ITB studies using IBW injection have been also continued up to 8T/0.8MA. The Lower Hybrid system has operated at full power allowing to complete the current drive studies at ITER relevant densities. At these density values the electrons and ions are coupled and an increase in the ion temperature is clearly observed. Preliminary sign of enhanced Current Drive efficiency has been obtained in combined injection of Electron Cyclotron and Lower Hybrid waves at magnetic field values lower than the resonant field. Pellet optimisation studies have been performed in order to test the conditions under which a quasi steady state confinement improvement can be obtained and impurity accumulation can be avoided. Ohmic discharges generally exhibit a confinement time in agreement with the ITER97 L-mode scaling. Transient confinement improvement is observed for duration less than one energy confinement time. Radiation Improved mode studies have been started thanks to the recently inserted boronization system which has allowed to reduce the radiated power. Confinement improvement with Neon injection has been observed in 6T/0.9MA discharges. Transport studies on profile stiffness and MHD studies of fast reconnection and snakes will be also presented. (author)