Effect of turbulence on electron cyclotron current drive and heating in ITER

Non-linear local electromagnetic gyrokinetic turbulence simulations of the ITER standard scenario H-mode are presented for the q = 3/2 and q = 2 surfaces. The turbulent transport is examined in regions of velocity space characteristic of electrons heated by electron-cyclotron waves. Electromagnetic fluctuations and sub-dominant micro-tearing modes are found to contribute significantly to the transport of the accelerated electrons, even though they have only a small impact on the transport of the bulk species. The particle diffusivity for resonant passing electrons is found to be less than 0.15 m2 s−1, and their heat conductivity is found to be less than 2 m2 s−1. Implications for the broadening of the current drive and energy deposition in ITER are discussed.