M Dimitrova

Status of the COMPASS tokamak and characterization of the first H-mode

This paper summarizes the status of the COMPASS tokamak, its comprehensive diagnostic equipment and plasma scenarios as a baseline for the future studies. The former COMPASS-D tokamak was in operation at UKAEA Culham, UK in 1992–2002. Later, the device was transferred to the Institute of Plasma Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (IPP AS CR), where it was installed during 2006–2011. Since 2012 the device has been in a full operation with Type-I and Type-III ELMy H-modes as a base scenario. This enables together with the ITER-like plasma shape and flexible NBI heating system (two injectors enabling co- or balanced injection) to perform ITER relevant studies in different parameter range to the other tokamaks (ASDEX-Upgrade, DIII-D, JET) and to contribute to the ITER scallings. In addition to the description of the device, current status and the main diagnostic equipment, the paper focuses on the characterization of the Ohmic as well as NBI-assisted H-modes. Moreover, Edge Localized Modes (ELMs) are categorized based on their frequency dependence on power density flowing across separatrix. The filamentary structure of ELMs is studied and the parallel heat flux in individual filaments is measured by probes on the outer mid-plane and in the divertor. The measurements are supported by observation of ELM and inter-ELM filaments by an ultra-fast camera.

Multi-machine scaling of the main SOL parallel heat flux width in tokamak limiter plasmas

As in many of todays tokamaks, plasma start-up in ITER will be performed in limiter configuration on either the inner or outer midplane first wall (FW). The massive, beryllium armored ITER FW pane ...

Advances in Langmuir probe diagnostics of the plasma potential and electron-energy distribution function in magnetized plasma

Advanced Langmuir probe techniques for evaluating the plasma potential and electron-energy distribution function (EEDF) in magnetized plasma are reviewed. It is shown that when the magnetic field applied is very weak and the electrons reach the probe without collisions in the probe sheath the second-derivative Druyvesteyn formula can be used for EEDF evaluation. At low values of the magnetic field, an extended second-derivative Druyvesteyn formula yields reliable results, while at higher values of the magnetic field, the first-derivative probe technique is applicable for precise evaluation of the plasma potential and the EEDF. There is an interval of intermediate values of the magnetic field when both techniques—the extended second-derivative and the first-derivative one—can be used. Experimental results from probe measurements in different ranges of magnetic field are reviewed and discussed: low-pressure argon gas discharges in the presence of a magnetic field in the range from 0.01 to 0.08 T, probe measurements in circular hydrogen plasmas for high-temperature fusion (magnetic fields from 0.45 T to 1.3 T) in small ISTTOK and CASTOR tokamaks, D-shape COMPASS tokamak plasmas, as well as in the TJ-II stellarator. In the vicinity of the last closed flux surface (LCFS) in tokamaks and in the TJ-II stellarator, the EEDF obtained is found to be bi-Maxwellian, while close to the tokamak chamber wall it is Maxwellian. The mechanism of the appearance of a bi-Maxwellian EEDF in the vicinity of the LCFS is discussed. Comparison of the results from probe measurements with those obtained from calculations using the ASTRA and EIRENE codes shows that the main reason for the appearance of a bi-Maxwellian EEDF in the vicinity of the LCFS is the ionization of the neutral atoms.

Second derivative Langmuir probe diagnostics of Ar/O2 gas discharge for DC YBCO-124 sputtering

Second derivative Langmuir probe measurements of the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) in an argon–oxygen d.c. gas discharge in conditions close to the optimal for on-axis sputter deposition of YBa2Cu4O8 films have been performed. Taking into account the effect of plasma depletion caused by the electron sink of the probe surface, an extension of Druyvesteyns method for determination of the plasma potential and the EEDF (respectively, the electron temperature, T and the electron density, n) of the argon–oxygen plasma in the vicinity of the substrate was used. The film composition was monitored as a function of the deposition parameters and related to the relevant plasma characteristics.

Second derivative Langmuir probe diagnostics of gas discharge plasma at intermediate pressures (review article)

The second-derivative Langmuir probe method for precise determination of the plasma potential, the electron energy distribution function (respectively the electron temperature,) and the electron density of gas discharge plasma at intermediate pressures (100-1000 Pa) is reviewed. Results of applying the procedure proposed to different kinds of gas discharges are presented. Factors affecting the accuracy of the plasma characteristics evaluated are discussed.

Second derivative Langmuir probe measurements in Faraday dark space in Argon d.c. gas discharge at intermediate pressures

In a d.c. discharge tube with sectional cathodes and a common grid anode, second derivative Langmuir probe measurements were performed in the Faraday dark space in argon gas discharge at intermediate pressures. Experimental results for different radial probe positions and different distances from the cathode in axial direction are presented. It is shown that the electron energy distribution function is bi-Maxwellian. Taking into account the electron depletion caused by their sinking on the probe surface, an extension of the Druyvesteyn formula is applied for more accurate determination of the electron temperature value, T, the electron density, n, and the plasma potential, Upl, from the experimental results acquired.

Plasma interaction with tungsten samples in the COMPASS tokamak in ohmic ELMy H-modes

This paper reports experimental results on plasma interaction with tungsten samples with or without pre-grown He fuzz. Under the experimental conditions, arcing was observed on the fuzzy tungsten samples, resulting in localized melting of the fuzz structure that did not extend into the bulk. The parallel power flux densities were obtained from the data measured by Langmuir probes embedded in the divertor tiles on the COMPASS tokamak. Measurements of the current-voltage probe characteristics were performed during ohmic ELMy H-modes reached in deuterium plasmas at a toroidal magnetic field BT = 1.15 T, plasma current Ip = 300 kA and line-averaged electron density ne = 5×1019 m-3. The data obtained between the ELMs were processed by the recently published first-derivative probe technique for precise determination of the plasma potential and the electron energy distribution function (EEDF). The spatial profile of the EEDF shows that at the high-field side it is Maxwellian with a temperature of 5 -- 10 eV. The electron temperatures and the ion-saturation current density obtained were used to evaluate the radial distribution of the parallel power flux density as being in the order of 0.05 -- 7 MW/m2.

Bi-Maxwellian electron energy distribution function in the vicinity of the last closed flux surface in fusion plasma

The first-derivative probe technique was applied to derive data for plasma parameters from the IV Langmuir probe characteristics measured in the plasma boundary region in the COMPASS tokamak and in the TJ-II stellarator. It is shown that in the COMPASS tokamak in the vicinity of the last closed flux surface (LCFS) the electron energy distribution function (EEDF) is bi-Maxwellian with the low-temperature electron fraction predominating over the higher temperature one, whereas in the far scrape-off layer (SOL) the EEDF is Maxwellian. In the TJ-II stellarator during NBI heated plasma the EEDF in the confined plasma and close to the LCFS is bi-Maxwellian while in the far SOL the EEDF is Maxwellian. In contrast, during the ECR heating phase of the discharge both in the confined plasma and in the SOL the EEDF is bi-Maxwellian. The mechanism for the appearance of a bi-Maxwellian EEDF in the vicinity of the LCFS is discussed. The comparison of the results from probe measurements with ASTRA package and EIRENE code calculations suggests that the main reason of the appearance of a bi-Maxwellian EEDF in the vicinity of the LCFS is the ionization of the neutral atoms. Results for the electron temperatures and densities obtained by the first-derivative probe technique in the COMPASS tokamak and in the TJ-II stellarator were used to evaluate the radial distribution of the parallel power flux density. It is shown that in the SOL the radial distribution of the parallel power flux density is a double exponential. It is pointed out that in the calculations of the parallel power flux density at the LCFS the energy losses from ionization mechanisms must be taken into account.

Discharge tube with coaxial geometry for efficient production of metal hydrides

The production of metal hydrides in vapour phase is one of the problems which makes their spectroscopic investigation at high resolution difficult. The molecular densities are usually low and the absorption is often increased by the use of multipass cells or intracavity setups. In this contribution a discharge tube with coaxial geometry is investigated, which is able to produce relatively high densities of NiH (≈10(12) cm(-3)). Additional advantage of the present geometry is that the densities are very homogeneous along the discharge length, 250 mm in our case, which can be made in principle arbitrary long. As a result, reliable absorption was detected even in a single pass experiment. We also present the results of a numerical model which explains the general properties of the plasma in the tube. Based on this understanding, we discuss possible improvements and other applications of this discharge geometry.

On the first derivative probe method for electron energy distribution function measurements in tokamak edge plasma

The applicability of the first derivative Langmuir probe method in strongly magnetized tokamak plasmas is discussed. The method is used for processing the electron part of the current-voltage (IV) probe characteristics measured in the CASTOR tokamak edge plasma (Institute of Plasma Physics, Association EURATOM-IPP, Prague, Czech Republic). The comparison of the results obtained with the results given by the Stangeby method yields a satisfactory agreement.