Jinseok Ko

Full wave effects on the lower hybrid wave spectrum and driven current profile in tokamak plasmas

A numerical modeling of current profile modification by lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) using a fullwave/Fokker-Planck simulation code is presented. A MHD stable LHCD discharge on Alcator C-Mod was analyzed, and the current profile from full wave simulations was found to show better agreement with the experiment than a ray-tracing code. Comparison of full wave and ray-tracing simulation shows that, although ray-tracing can reproduce the stochastic wave spectrum broadening, the full wave calculation predicts even wider spectrum broadening, and the wave spectrum fills all of the kinematically allowed domain. This is the first demonstration of LHCD current profile modeling using a full wave simulation code in a multi-pass absorption regime, showing the clear impact of full wave effects on the LHCD driven current profile.

Lower hybrid heating and current drive on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak

On the Alcator C-Mod tokamak, lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) is being used to modify the current profile with the aim of obtaining advanced tokamak (AT) performance in plasmas with parameters similar to those that would be required on ITER. To date, power levels in excess of 1 MW at a frequency of 4.6 GHz have been coupled into a variety of plasmas. Experiments have established that LHCD on C-Mod behaves globally as predicted by theory. Bulk current drive efficiencies, n20IlhR/Plh ~ 0.25, inferred from magnetics and MSE are in line with theory. Quantitative comparisons between local measurements, MSE, ECE and hard x-ray bremsstrahlung, and theory/simulation using the GENRAY, TORIC-LH CQL3D and TSC-LSC codes have been performed. These comparisons have demonstrated the off-axis localization of the current drive, its magnitude and location dependence on the launched n∥ spectrum, and the use of LHCD during the current ramp to save volt-seconds and delay the peaking of the current profile. Broadening of the x-ray emission profile during ICRF heating indicates that the current drive location can be controlled by the electron temperature, as expected. In addition, an alteration in the plasma toroidal rotation profile during LHCD has been observed with a significant rotation in the counter-current direction. Notably, the rotation is accompanied by peaking of the density and temperature profiles on a current diffusion time scale inside of the half radius where the LH absorption is taking place.

Intrashot motional Stark effect calibration technique for lower hybrid current drive experiments

The spurious drift in pitch angle of order several degrees measured by the motional Stark effect (MSE) diagnostic in the Alcator C-Mod tokamak over the course of an experimental run day has precluded direct utilization of independent absolute calibrations. Recently, the underlying cause of the drift has been identified as thermal stress-induced birefringence in a set of in-vessel lenses. The shot-to-shot drift can be avoided by using MSE to measure only the change in pitch angle between a reference phase and a phase of physical interest within a single plasma discharge. This intrashot calibration technique has been applied to the lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) experiments and the measured current profiles qualitatively demonstrate several predictions of LHCD theory such as an inverse dependence of current drive efficiency on the parallel refractive index and the presence of off-axis current drive.

Robotic calibration of the motional Stark effect diagnostic on Alcator C-Mod

The capability to calibrate diagnostics, such as the Motional Stark Effect (MSE) diagnostic, without using plasma or beam-into-gas discharges will become increasingly important on next step fusion facilities due to machine availability and operational constraints. A robotic calibration system consisting of a motorized three-axis positioning system and a polarization light source capable of generating arbitrary polarization states with a linear polarization angle accuracy of <0.05° has been constructed and has been used to calibrate the MSE diagnostic deployed on Alcator C-Mod. The polarization response of the complex diagnostic is shown to be fully captured using a Fourier expansion of the detector signals in terms of even harmonics of the input polarization angle. The systems high precision robotic control of position and orientation allow it to be used also to calibrate the geometry of the instruments view. Combined with careful measurements of the narrow bandpass spectral filters, this system fully calibrates the diagnostic without any plasma discharges. The systems high repeatability, flexibility, and speed has been exploited to quantify several systematics in the MSE diagnostic response, providing a more complete understanding of the diagnostic performance.

Simulation of the motional Stark effect diagnostic gas-filled torus calibration

Many motional Stark effect diagnostics around the world make use of a calibration procedure in which the observed neutral beam is injected into a gas-filled torus with known vacuum fields. The instrument is calibrated by reconciling measured angles with vacuum magnetic reconstructions through a range of pitch angles. This in situ gas-filled torus calibration most closely approximates the working conditions of the diagnostic and includes effects such as beam and viewing geometries, beam voltages, Faraday and stress induced birefringence (in most cases) of the transmissive optics, as well as the polarimeter response. However, secondary neutrals, produced after ionization then reneutralization of a beam neutral, have been found to contaminate measured angles by emitting Balmer alpha with similar Doppler shifts and Stark polarizations as beam neutrals, but with different polarization angles. Simulation results that show spectral and angle behavior versus calibration parameters such as fill gas pressure will be presented. Data from NSTX and C-Mod will be compared to simulations results.

Wide-angle point-to-point x-ray imaging with almost arbitrarily large angles of incidence

The paper describes a new scheme for wide-angle point-to-point x-ray imaging with almost arbitrarily large angles of incidence by a matched pair of spherically bent crystals to eliminate the astigmatism, which is a well-known imaging error of spherical mirrors. In addition to x rays, the scheme should be applicable to a very broad spectrum of the electromagnetic radiation, including microwaves, infrared and visible light, as well as UV and extreme UV radiation, if the crystals are replaced with appropriate spherical reflectors. The scheme may also be applicable to the imaging with ultrasound.

Advances in time-resolved measurement of magnetic field and electron temperature in low-magnetic-field plasmas

Abstract Internal time-resolved measurement of magnetic field and electron temperature in low-field (≤ 1 T) plasmas is a difficult diagnostic challenge. To meet this diagnostic challenge in the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed-field pinch, two techniques are being developed: 1) spectral motional Stark effect (MSE) and 2) Fast Thomson scattering. For spectral MSE, the entire Stark-split Hα spectrum emitted by hydrogen neutral beam atoms is recorded and analyzed using a newly refined atomic emission model. A new analysis scheme has been developed to infer both the polarization direction and the magnitude of Stark splitting, from which both the direction and magnitude of the local magnetic field can be derived. For Fast Thomson scattering, two standard commercial flashlamp-pumped Nd:YAG lasers have been upgraded to “pulse-burst” capability. Each laser produces a burst of up to fifteen pulses at repetition rates 1–12.5 kHz, thus enabling recording of the dynamic evolution of the electron temperature profile and electron temperature fluctuations. To further these capabilities, a custom pulse-burst laser system is now being commissioned. This new laser is designed to produce a burst of laser pulses at repetition frequencies 5–250 kHz.

Modification of Current Profile, Toroidal Rotation and Pedestal by Lower Hybrid Waves in Alcator C‐Mod

Recent results from the lower hybrid current drive experiments on Alcator C‐Mod are presented. These include i) MSE measurements of broadened LHCD current profiles; ii) development of counter rotation comparable to the rate of injected wave momentum; iii) modification of pedestals and rotation in H‐mode; and iv) development of a new FEM‐based code that models LH wave propagation from the RF source to absorption in the plasma. An improved antenna concept that will be used in the upcoming C‐Mod campaigns is also briefly described.

Control of Internal Profiles via LHCD on Alcator C-Mod

LHCD on Alcator C‐Mod is being used in plasmas with parameters similar to those expected on ITER for the purpose of tailoring the plasma current profile. LHCD experiments have also produced intriguing results related to momentum transport and edge pedestal physics that affect the toroidal rotation profile and the temperature and density profiles. Quantitative comparisons between local measurements and theory/simulation have been performed, confirming the off‐axis localization of the current drive, as well as its magnitude and location dependence on the launched n‖ spectrum and electron temperature. Applying LHCD during the current ramp saves volt‐seconds and delays the peaking of the current profile. Counter current toroidal rotation during LHCD has been observed in both L and H‐mode plasmas. In H‐mode plasmas the edge pedestal collisionality is reduced while the overall pressure in the pedestal increases slightly.