3D electromagnetic optimization of the front face of the ITER ICRF antenna

In the framework of the ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH) antenna development for ITER, a design based on an external matching concept has been proposed [1]. We present in this work a series of electromagnetic simulations of this design performed with the commercial code CST Microwave Studio [2]. On the one hand, we explore how various geometrical modifications of some parts of the antenna (the straps and the four-port junction) can practically double the RF power coupled to the plasma. This optimization is supported by transmission line analysis. On the other hand, we treat the important question of the opportunity to tilt the straps in the toroidal direction to follow the plasma curvature as close as possible. We show that a configuration with two toroidal segments is sufficient and that further segmentation is not necessary. This work also underlines significant progress in the realism of ICRH antenna modelling and the importance of considering realistic load shaping in the models.