Toroidal rotation induced by 4.6 GHz lower hybrid current drive on EAST tokamak

Using a tangentially viewing x-ray imaging crystal spectrometer, substantial co-current rotation driven by lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) at 4.6 GHz is observed on EAST tokamak. This study presents plasma rotation behaviors with 4.6 GHz LHCD injection. Typically, the 10-20 km/s co-current rotation change and the transport of rotation velocity from edge to core are observed. The relationship between plasma parameters and rotation is also investigated, indicating that rotation decreases with increasing internal inductance (l_i) and increases with increasing safety factor (q₀). Hysteresis between rotation and T_e plasma stored energy is observed, suggesting different response times between the electron heating and rotation acceleration by LHCD. A comparison between the rotations driven by 4.6 G LHCD and 2.45 G LHCD on EAST is also presented, in which higher frequency LHCD could induce more rotation changes.