Brentley Stratton

Metrology for the NCSX Project

The National Compact Stellerator Experiment (NCSX) is being constructed at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The complex geometry and tight fabrication tolerances of the NCSXs non-planar coils and vacuum vessel necessitate the use of computerized, CAD-based metrology systems capable of very accurate and reasonably quick measurements. To date, multi-link, portable coordinate measuring machines (pCMM) are used in the fabrication of the non-planar coils. Characterization of the CNC machined coil winding form and subsequent positioning of the conductor centroid (to within +/-0.5 mm) are accomplished via multiple sets of detailed measurements. A laser tracker is used for all phases of work on the vacuum vessel including positioning magnetic diagnostics and vessel ports prior to welding. Future tasks requiring metrology include positioning of the magnet systems and assembly of the three vacuum vessel sub-assemblies onto the final machine configuration. This paper describes the hardware and software used for metrology, as well as the methodology for achieving the required dimensional control and will present an overview of the measurement results to date.

Progress in NCSX Construction

The National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX) is being constructed at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) in partnership with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Its mission is to develop the physics understanding of the compact stellarator and evaluate its potential for future fusion energy systems. Compact stellarators use 3D plasma shaping to produce a magnetic configuration that can be steady state without current drive or feedback control of instabilities. The NCSX has major radius 1.4 m, aspect ratio 4.4, 3 field periods, and a quasi-axisymmetric magnetic field. It is predicted to be stable and have good magnetic surfaces at beta > 4% and to have tokamak-like confinement properties. The device will provide the plasma configuration flexibility and the heating and diagnostic access needed to test physics predictions. Component production has advanced substantially since the first contracts were placed in 2004. Manufacture of the vacuum vessel was completed in 2006. All eighteen modular coil winding forms have been delivered, and twelve modular coils have been wound and epoxy impregnated. A contract for the (planar) toroidal field coils was placed in 2006 and manufacture is in progress. Assembly activities have begun and will be the projects main focus in the next few years. The engineering challenge of NCSX is to meet the requirements for complex geometries and tight tolerances within the cost and schedule constraints of a construction project. This paper will focus on how the engineering challenges of component production have been resolved, and how the assembly challenges are being met.

An all-optical, in situ diagnostic for large molecule and nanoparticle detection

We report on the development and application of a new laser diagnostic for the in situ detection of large molecules and nanoparticles. This four wave mixing diagnostic technique relies on the creation of an optical lattice in a medium due to the interaction between polarized particles and intense laser fields. Though this interaction, we can detect the temperature, pressure, relative density, polarizability and speed of sound of a gas and gas mixture. This diagnostic was already successfully demonstrated in atomic and molecular gaseous environments, where the different gas polarizabilities and pressures were successfully measured. We are currently conducting measurements with large molecules and nanoparticles, the results of which will be presented in this meeting.

National Compact Stellarator Experiment Vacuum Vessel External Flux Loops Design and Installation

The national compact stellarator experiment (NCSX) will have an extensive set of external magnetic diagnostics. These include flux loops on the exterior surface of the vacuum vessel. Data from these sensors will be integrated with other magnetic sensors and used for plasma control and to constrain magnetic equilibrium reconstructions. NCSX is currently under construction at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL). The ex-vessel flux loops must be installed during machine construction since they will ultimately be trapped in the space between the vacuum vessel and the modular coil support shell. Detailed designs have been completed, locator templates have been fabricated and approximately one third of the 225 total loops have been installed as of mid February 2007. Modeling was performed by PPPL to determine the optimum size, placement and number of turns. Engineering of the flux loops was challenging as they must be accurately positioned, optimized geometry maintained and they must be robust and reliable in a bake and cryogenic environment for the lifetime of NCSX. Designs for the ex-vessel flux loops that meet these requirements are presented.

Electrostrictive in-situ nanoparticle detection with coherent Rayleigh-Brillouin scattering (Conference Presentation)

We report on the development and application of coherent Rayleigh-Brillouin scattering for the in situ detection of large molecules and nanoparticles. This four wave mixing diagnostic technique relies on the creation of an electrostrictive optical lattice in a medium due to the interaction between polarized particles and the intense electric field gradient created by the optical interference of two intense pulsed laser beams. Though this interaction, we can detect the temperature, pressure, relative density, polarizability and speed of sound of a gas and gas mixture. This diagnostic was already successfully demonstrated in atomic and molecular gaseous environments, where the different gas polarizabilities and pressures were successfully measured. We are currently conducting in situ measurements with large molecules and nanoparticles produced in an arc discharge, the results of which will be presented in this meeting.