The position of the absorbing volume was changed by steering poloidally the beam axis from shot to shot, at fixed toroidal magnetic field and constant target plasma parameters. The main results are summarized in Figs.1-4. ECRH starts at 0.5 s. In both discharges co-injection at a toroidal angle of 10 o was performed. Fluctuations are even enhanced when approaching from the inside the island position.
Stabilization is marked by a strong reduction of magnetic oscillations.
Thermal oscillations are also suppressed. If TM modes are stabilized, a net improvement of core confinement is observed. Neutron emission increases only if TM are stabilized. The energy stored in the core is therefore much higher with stabilization. Also the global confinement time has a much less degradation with ECRH if TM disappear.