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Title: Closed Loop Feedback of MHD Instabilities on DIII-D

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/773356· OSTI ID:773356

A system of coils, sensors and amplifiers has been installed on the DIII-D tokamak to study the physics of feedback stabilization of low-frequency MHD [magnetohydrodynamic] modes such as the Resistive Wall Mode (RWM). Experiments are being performed to assess the effectiveness of this minimal system and benchmark the predictions of theoretical models and codes. In the last campaign, the experiments have been extended to a regime where the RWM threshold is lowered by a fast ramp of the plasma current. In these experiments, the onset time of the RWM is very reproducible. With this system, the onset of the RWM has been delayed by up to 100 msec without degrading plasma performance. The growth rate of the mode increases proportional to the length of delay, suggesting that the plasma is evolving towards a more unstable configuration. The present results have suggested directions for improving the feedback system including better sensors and improved feedback algorithms.

Research Organization:
Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Research (ER) (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-76CH03073
OSTI ID:
773356
Report Number(s):
PPPL-3535; TRN: US0100740
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 16 Jan 2001
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English