Title: Full-wave feasibility study of anti-radar diagnostic of magnetic field based on O-X mode conversion and oblique reflectometry imaging

Abstract

An innovative millimeter wave diagnostic is proposed to measure the local magnetic field and edge current as a function of the minor radius in the tokamak pedestal region. The idea is to identify the direction of minimum reflectivity at the O-mode cutoff layer. Correspondingly, the transmissivity due to O-X mode conversion is maximum. That direction, and the angular map of reflectivity around it, contain information on the magnetic field vector B at the cutoff layer. By probing the plasma with different wave frequencies it provides the radial profile of B. Full-wave finite-element simulations are presented here in 2D slab geometry. Modeling confirms the existence of a minimum in reflectivity that depends on the magnetic field at the cutoff, as expected from mode conversion physics, giving confidence in the feasibility of the diagnostic. We proposed an reflectometric approach in order to yield superior signal-to-noise ratio and to access wider ranges of density and magnetic field, compared with related radiometric techniques that require the plasma to emit Electron Bernstein Waves. Due to computational limitations, frequencies of 10-20 GHz were considered in this initial study. Furthermore, frequencies above the edge electron-cyclotron frequency (f >28 GHz here) would be preferable for the experiment, becausemore » the upper hybrid resonance and right cutoff would lie in the plasma, and would help separate the O-mode of interest from spurious X-waves.« less

Authors:

Meneghini, Orso ^[1]; Volpe, Francesco A. ^[2]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)
2. Columbia Univ., New York, NY (United States). Dept. of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics

Publication Date:

Fri Aug 19 00:00:00 EDT 2016

Research Org.:

General Atomics, San Diego, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1371890

Grant/Contract Number:  

FC02-04ER54698; FG02-95ER54309

Resource Type:

Accepted Manuscript

Journal Name:

Review of Scientific Instruments

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Volume: 87; Journal Issue: 11; Related Information: O. Meneghini and F.A. Volpe, "Full-wave feasibility study of anti-radar diagnostic of magnetic field based on O-X mode conversion and oblique reflectometry imaging", Rev. Sci. Instr. 87, 11E120 (2016); Journal ID: ISSN 0034-6748

Publisher:

American Institute of Physics (AIP)

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY; 46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY