Y. Shima

Electron density fluctuation measurements using a multichannel microwave interferometer in GAMMA 10

Measurement of fluctuation in plasma is important for studying the improvement in plasma confinement by the formation of the plasma confinement potential. The density fluctuation is observed by microwaves by methods such as interferometry, reflectometry and Fraunhofer diffraction method. We have constructed a new multichannel microwave interferometer to measure the plasma density and fluctuation radial profiles in a single plasma shot. We successfully measured the time-dependent density and line-integrated density fluctuation radial profiles in a single plasma shot using the multichannel microwave interferometer. Thus, we have developed a useful tool for studying the improvement in plasma confinement by the formation of plasma confinement potential.

Development of polarization-controlled multi-pass Thomson scattering system in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror

In the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror, the typical electron density is comparable to that of the peripheral plasma of torus-type fusion devices. Therefore, an effective method to increase Thomson scattering (TS) signals is required in order to improve signal quality. In GAMMA 10, the yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG)-TS system comprises a laser, incident optics, light collection optics, signal detection electronics, and a data recording system. We have been developing a multi-pass TS method for a polarization-based system based on the GAMMA 10 YAG TS. To evaluate the effectiveness of the polarization-based configuration, the multi-pass system was installed in the GAMMA 10 YAG-TS system, which is capable of double-pass scattering. We carried out a Rayleigh scattering experiment and applied this double-pass scattering system to the GAMMA 10 plasma. The integrated scattering signal was made about twice as large by the double-pass system.

Design of the polarization multi-pass Thomson scattering system

A novel configuration of the multi-pass Thomson scattering (TS) system is proposed to improve the time resolution and accuracy of electron temperature measurements by use of a polarization control technique. This configuration can realize a perfect coaxial multi-passing at each pass, and the number of round trips is not limited by the optical configuration. To confirm the feasibility of the new method, we installed this system in the GAMMA 10 plasma system. As a result, the integrated scattering signal of the double-pass configuration is about two times larger than that of the single-pass configuration. These results are in good agreement with the design.

Use of a Gold Neutral Beam Probe to Study Fluctuation Suppression During Potential Formation in the GAMMA 10 Tandem Mirror

Abstract In the tandem mirror GAMMA 10, plasma confinement is achieved not only by the magnetic mirror configuration but also by the high potentials at both end regions. Before applying plug–electron cyclotron resonance heating (P-ECH), drift-type fluctuations were observed in the potential and density measurements. The suppression potential and density of these fluctuations were clearly determined by using a gold neutral beam probe (GNBP) system during the potential formation by the application of P-ECH. We studied the relationship between the suppression levels of the potential fluctuations and the effects of potential produced by changing the applied electron cyclotron heating power. Moreover, the particle-flux-related values obtained by examining the phase difference between the potential and density fluctuations were measured by using the GNBP. We clearly show that radial anomalous transport induces radial particle transport, which decreases the stored energy of the plasma.

Two dimensional density and its fluctuation measurements by using phase imaging method in GAMMA 10.

Two dimensional (2D) plasma image analysis is useful to study the improvement of plasma confinement in magnetically confined fusion plasmas. We have constructed a 2D interferometer system with phase imaging method for studying 2D plasma density distribution and its fluctuation measurement in the tandem mirror GAMMA 10. 2D profiles of electron density and its fluctuation have been successfully obtained by using this 2D phase imaging system. We show that 2D plasma density and fluctuation profiles clearly depends on the axial confining potential formation with application of plug electron cyclotron heating in GAMMA 10.

First results of electron temperature measurements by the use of multi-pass Thomson scattering system in GAMMA 10.

A multi-pass Thomson scattering (TS) has the advantage of enhancing scattered signals. We constructed a multi-pass TS system for a polarisation-based system and an image relaying system modelled on the GAMMA 10 TS system. We undertook Raman scattering experiments both for the multi-pass setting and for checking the optical components. Moreover, we applied the system to the electron temperature measurements in the GAMMA 10 plasma for the first time. The integrated scattering signal was magnified by approximately three times by using the multi-pass TS system with four passes. The electron temperature measurement accuracy is improved by using this multi-pass system.

Coupling of ICRF waves and axial transport of high-energy ions owing to spontaneously excited waves in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror

Plasmas with high ion temperature of several kiloelectronvolts and a strong temperature anisotropy of greater than 10 were produced by ion cyclotron range of frequency (ICRF) heating in the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror. In such high-performance plasmas with strong anisotropy, high-frequency fluctuations, so-called Alfv?n-ion-cyclotron (AIC) waves, are excited spontaneously. These AIC waves have several discrete peaks in the frequency spectrum. Coupling of the ICRF heating waves and the excited AIC waves was clearly observed in the density fluctuations measured with a newly developed reflectometer. Parametric decay from the heating ICRF waves to the AIC waves and low-frequency waves was also indicated. Alfv?n waves with difference frequencies between the discrete peaks of the AIC waves were detected in a signal that measured the number of axially transported high-energy ions (over 6?keV) at the machine end, indicating pitch-angle scattering caused by the low-frequency waves. Energy transport along the magnetic field line is an important consideration when ICRF power is injected in the perpendicular direction to a magnetic field line. The importance of the spontaneously excited AIC waves for axial confinement of a tandem mirror through wave?wave couplings was demonstrated.

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.

Axial profile measurement of Alfvén ion cyclotron eigenmodes

In the GAMMA10 tandem mirror, a strong ion cyclotron range of frequency heating is performed. As a result of the heating, the Alfven ion cyclotron (AIC) modes are spontaneously excited due to the strong temperature anisotropy. The AIC modes in the GAMMA10 are excited as the axial eigenmodes and detected at the whole of the device. In the recent experiments, the clear standing wave structure is observed with the magnetic probe measurements. Characteristics of the AIC modes and the measurement of the axial profile are presented.

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.