Mizuki Sakamoto

Recent results of divertor simulation experiments using D-Module in the GAMMA 10/PDX tandem mirror

Abstract This paper describes the recent results of divertor simulation research toward the realization of the detached plasma using the end-mirror of a large tandem mirror device. The additional ion cyclotron range of frequency heating in the anchor-cells for higher particle flux generation significantly increases the density, which attained the highest particle flux up to 1.76 × 1023 particles/·m2 at the end-mirror exit. Massive gas injection (H2 and noble gases) into the divertor simulation experimental module (D-module) was performed, and a remarkable reduction of the electron temperature on the target plate was successfully achieved associated with the strong reduction of particle and heat fluxes in D-module. Two-dimensional images of Hα emission in D-module observed with a high-speed camera showed strong emission in the upstream region and significant reduction near the target plate. These results clarified the effect of radiation cooling and formation of detached plasma due to gas injection. It is also found that Xe gas is much more effective in achieving detached plasma than Ar gas. Numerical simulation studies also have been performed toward the understanding of the cooling mechanism of divertor plasma. The above results will contribute to establishment of detached plasma control and clarification of the radiation cooling mechanism toward the development of future divertor systems.

Electron temperature and density measurements by using the Thomson scattering system in the tandem mirror GAMMA 10

An yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) Thomson scattering (TS) system was constructed and applied to the tandem mirror GAMMA 10 device to measure the electron temperature and density. We developped GAMMA 10 YAG-TS system to be able to measure multi-position electron temperatures and densities in a single laser and single plasma shots. The radialy multi-positions electron temperatures and densites are successfully obtained. We show the GAMMA 10 YAG-TS system and the results of multi-position measurements of electron temperatures and densities in the tandem mirror GAMMA 10.

A Novel Frequency-Multiplied Interferometer System with 1-D Horn-Antenna Mixer Array in the GAMMA 10/PDX End Divertor Module

Abstract In GAMMA 10/PDX, divertor simulation studies have been started as a new research plan by using end-loss plasma flux at the end-mirror region. A divertor simulation experimental module (D-module) was installed in the west end-cell. Here we introduce a novel microwave interferometer system with a phase imaging method, and all the crucial components are designed and tested. Finally, we tested the interferometer system using a Teflon plate in substitution for plasma. In order to improve the system accuracy, the phase detection circuit was modified and the phase difference of each channel was verified.

Electron temperature measurements by the use of multi-pass Thomson scattering system in GAMMA 10/PDX

A multi-pass (MP) Thomson scattering (TS) system modeled on the GAMMA 10/PDX TS system was constructed for enhancing the Thomson scattered signals. The MPTS system has a polarization-based configuration with an image relaying system. The former MPTS system in GAMMA 10/PDX can measure only four passing signals. We changed the larger aperture polarization control device for improving the MP laser confinement and obtaining the over four passing MPTS signals. The integrated MPTS signals increased about 1.2 times larger than that in the former system.

High-Density plasma production in the Gamma 10 central cell with ICRF heating on both anchor cells

Abstract In the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror, divertor simulation experiments that utilize particle flux toward the west end region (called end-loss flux) have been implemented. Since a positive correlation has been reported between the end-loss flux and the central-cell density, an increase of the central-cell density is important for obtaining a higher end-loss flux on the divertor simulation experiments. By arranging the ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) systems so as to excite strong ICRF waves in both anchor cells simultaneously, we have succeeded in producing high-density plasmas (line density of 1.2 × 1014 cm−2) in both anchor cells. As a result, a higher central-cell density of 4.4 × 1012 cm−3 and a higher end-loss flux of more than 1023 m−2s−1 have been obtained. One of the possible mechanisms of the high density production is a formation of positive potentials on both anchor cells. Plasmas in the central cell are confined due to those potentials.

Radial Electron Temperature and Density Measurements Using Thomson Scattering System in GAMMA 10/PDX

A Thomson scattering (TS) system in GAMMA 10/PDX has been developed for the measurement of radial profiles of electron temperature and density in a single plasma and laser shot. The TS system has a large solid angle optical collection system and high-sensitivity signal detection system. The TS signals are obtained using four-channel high-speed digital oscilloscopes controlled by a Windows PC. We designed the acquisition program for six oscilloscopes to obtain 10-Hz TS signals in a single plasma shot, following which the time-dependent electron temperatures and densities can be determined. Moreover, in order to obtain larger TS signal intensity in the edge region, we added a second collection mirror. The radial electron temperatures and densities at six radial positions in GAMMA 10/PDX were successfully obtained.

Electron Temperature and Density Distributions in a Divertor Simulation Experimental Module with Gas Injection in GAMMA 10/PDX

Abstract In tandem mirror GAMMA 10/PDX, H2 gas has been injected to a divertor simulation experimental module (D-module) for radiation cooling and detachment study. Electron temperature (Te) and density (ne) distributions have been measured by Langmuir probes in the D-module. With increase of H2 gas amount, Te has decreased especially at the V-shaped target plate from 30-40 eV to 3-5 eV. Moreover, ne and ion saturation current Iis have increased at the inlet but decreased at the target and had a steeper distribution toward the corner. These results suggest detachment. The movement of the ionization front to the upstream side with increase of the gas is suggested from the change in the plasma parameters profiles along the magnetic field line.

Development of a laser amplification system for the multi-pass Thomson scattering system for GAMMA 10/PDX

The multi-pass Thomson scattering (MPTS) system is a useful technique for increasing the Thomson scattering (TS) signal intensities and improving the TS diagnostic time resolution. The MPTS system developed in GAMMA 10/PDX has a polarization-based configuration with an image relaying system. The MPTS system has been constructed for enhancing the Thomson scattered signals for the improvement of measurement accuracy and the megahertz sampling time resolution. However, in the normal MPTS system, the MPTS signal intensities decrease with the pass number because of the damping due to the optical components. Subsequently, we have developed a new MPTS system with the laser amplification system. The laser amplification system can improve the degraded laser power after six passes in the multi-pass system to the initial laser power. For the first time worldwide, we successfully obtained the continued multi-pass signals after the laser amplification system in the gas scattering experiments.

Study of Plasma Behavior during ECRH Injection in the GAMMA 10 SMBI Experiments

Establishment of fueling system is one of the critical issues for the future fusion reactors. Fueling experiment supersonic molecular beam injection (SMBI) have been carried out in the central-cell of GAMMA 10. In GAMMA 10, electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) is used at plug/barrier-cells for the formation of the axial confining potential. Recently, ECRH was applied during SMBI to plug the loss particles and increased the plasma density in the central-cell compared to without ECRH. This result suggests that the particles are confined during SMBI due to the injection of ECRH at plug/barrier-cells in GAMMA 10.

Multi-point measurement using two-channel reflectometer with antenna switching for study of high-frequency fluctuations in GAMMA 10

A two-channel microwave reflectometer system with fast microwave antenna switching capability was developed and applied to the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror device to study high-frequency small-amplitude fluctuations in a hot mirror plasma. The fast switching of the antennas is controlled using PIN diode switches, which offers the significant advantage of reducing the number of high-cost microwave components and digitizers with high bandwidths and large memory that are required to measure the spatiotemporal behavior of the high-frequency fluctuations. The use of two channels rather than one adds the important function of a simultaneous two-point measurement in either the radial direction or the direction of the antenna array to measure the phase profile of the fluctuations along with the normal amplitude profile. The density fluctuations measured using this system clearly showed the high-frequency coherent fluctuations that are associated with Alfvén-ion-cyclotron (AIC) waves in GAMMA 10. A correlation analysis applied to simultaneously measured density fluctuations showed that the phase component that was included in a reflected microwave provided both high coherence and a clear phase difference for the AIC waves, while the amplitude component showed neither significant coherence nor clear phase difference. The axial phase differences of the AIC waves measured inside the hot plasma confirmed the formation of a standing wave structure. The axial variation of the radial profiles was evaluated and a clear difference was found among the AIC waves for the first time, which would be a key to clarify the unknown boundary conditions of the AIC waves.