An assessment of full-wave effects on Maxwellian lower-hybrid wave damping

Lower-hybrid current drive (LHCD) actuators are important components of modern day fusion experiments as well proposed reactors. However, simulations LHCD often differ substantially from experimental results, and each other, especially in the inferred power deposition profile shape. Here we investigate some possible causes this discrepancy; "full-wave" effects such interference diffraction, which omitted standard raytracing breakdown near reflections caustics. We compare to state-of-the-art full-wave using matched hot-plasma dielectric tensors realistic tokamak scenarios for first time. show that differences between previous work were primarily due numerical physical inconsistencies simulations, demonstrate good agreement converged can be obtained reactor relevant-scenarios with large ray caustics situations weak damping.