H-mode performance and pedestal studies with enhanced particle control on Alcator C-Mod

ORAL

Abstract

H-mode density control studies are extended on the Alcator C-Mod tokamak with the recent implementation of an upper chamber cryopump. Experiments have examined the effects of strong neutral pumping on H-mode edge pedestal profiles and core fueling, in varied magnetic topology (both lower and upper null, and close to balanced double null), and over a significant range in edge density. As in prior H-mode puffing experiments, these studies are meant to examine H-mode fueling in discharges with edge neutral opacity approximating that expected in ITER. Significant reduction of edge collisionality is observed with enhanced pumping, concurrent in many cases with high H-mode performance and core density peaking. Cryopumping provides a new tool for obtaining steady H-modes with sustained low collisionality, allowing for continued exploration of pedestal fueling studies, critical-gradient behavior of plasma profiles and access conditions to H-mode regimes (e.g. EDA, ELM-free, ELMy).

*Supported by USDoE grants DE-FC02-99-ER54512, DE-FG03-97-ER54415.

Authors

  • M. Greenwald

  • A. Hubbard

  • B. Lipschultz

  • K. Marr

  • R. McDermott

  • M. Reinke

  • J.W. Hughes

  • B. LaBombard

  • J.L. Terry

    • MIT PSFC
  • W.L. Rowan

  • I.O. Bespamyatnov

    • Fusion Research Center, UT-Austin