AbstractThe ion cyclotron heating system for the Burning Plasma Experiment (BPX) is required to deliver at least 20 MW of rf power to the plasma for pulse lengths of up to 15 s over a range of plasma operating conditions (e.g., average plasma densities from 0.5 × 1020 to 4.5 × 1020 m−3, toroidal fields from 5 to 8 T). Because of the high, reactor-like energy density in the fusion plasma, the antenna and first wall will be exposed to significantly higher thermal loads and disruption forces than present-generation antennas. The increased loads have a major influence on the design choices that are made. Calculations indicate that the antenna for BPX would survive the anticipated environment, but only with proper choice of materials and design.