skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Evolution of low-density Thomson scattering on ELMO Bumpy Torus

Journal Article · · Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1138523· OSTI ID:5639459

The ELMO Bumpy Torus (EBT) confines a low-density, steady-state, microwave-driven plasma. On the basis of favorable initial diagnostic results, major machine upgrades: increases in microwave power and magnetic field: were initiated, and the feasibility of Thomson scattering was considered. From the time of the first laser measurements, in which a two-point spectrum was integrated during 30 or more Q-switched pulses, the Thomson scattering system has evolved into a reliable diagnostic tool that is able to obtain scans along 20 cm of the plasma diameter and to determine the central electron temperature at densities as low as 2 x 10/sup 11/ cm/sup -3/. Based on a 25-J ruby laser and a seven-channel polychrometer, the present system (1) reveals a bulk plasma with T/sub e/ = 20--100 eV and n/sub e/ = 5--10 x 10/sup 11/ cm/sup -3/ and (2) indicates a suprathermal tail consistent with x-ray measurements. With up to 200 kW of microwave power inside the machine, major problems to overcome were radiation damage to optical materials (< or =3000 R/h) and plasma coating of windows and dumps.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831
OSTI ID:
5639459
Journal Information:
Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States), Vol. 56:5
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English