Modeling of Balmer series deuterium spectra with the Cretin code for diagnosing the inner divertor re-attachment threshold in NSTX discharges with lithium coatings

POSTER

Abstract

Application of evaporated lithium coatings on graphite divertor tiles in NSTX led to a reduction of divertor recycling. The inner divertor electron density and recombination rate were also drastically reduced, suggesting that the normally detached inner divertor re-attached in many lithium-assisted ELM-free H-mode discharges. This observation was based on the divertor brightness profiles of Stark-broadened ultraviolet spectral lines from the Balmer series $n=2-7...12$ transitions. To understand the divertor transport regimes with reduced recycling and the density thresholds for both the inner divertor detachment and X-point MARFE formation, we are developing a simulation of the NSTX divertor spectra in a realistic viewing geometry using the Cretin code. The non-local thermodynamic equilibrium radiation transport code Cretin uses a 1-D plasma model with neutral diffusion and line shape calculations based on the quasi-static ion microfield approximation and a binary electron impact collision model.

*Supported by the U.S. DOE under Contracts DE-AC52- 07NA27344 and DE-AC02-09CH11466.

Authors

  • F. Scotti

    • Princeton University
  • V.A. Soukhanovskii

    • LLLNL
    • LLNL
    • L.L.N.L.
    • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
  • H.A. Scott

    • LLNL