Investigation of lower hybrid current drive during H-mode in EAST tokamak

H-mode discharges with lower hybrid current drive （LHCD） alone are achieved in EAST divertor plasma over a wide parameter range. These H-mode discharges are characterized by a sudden drop in Da emission and a spontaneous rise in main plasma density. Good lower hybrid （LH） coupling during H-mode is obtained by putting the plasma close to the antenna and by injecting D2 gas from a pipe near the grill mouse. The analysis of lower hybrid current drive properties shows that the LH deposition profile shifts off axis during H-mode, and current drive （CD） efficiency decreases due to the increase in density. Modeling results of H-mode discharges with a general ray trueing code GENRAY are reported.